The Pianist (2002)

The Pianist (2002)

2002 R 150 Minutes

Drama | War

The true story of pianist Władysław Szpilman's experiences in Warsaw during the Nazi occupation. When the Jews of the city find themselves forced into a ghetto, Szpilman finds work playing in a c...

Overall Rating

9 / 10
Verdict: Great

User Review

  • The Pianist is harrowing. No question about it, it's on par with Schindler's List in terms of horrible imagery. I mean some of the executions were so bad I had to turn my head away. I think what made the film engrossing was the fact director Roman Polanksi was very close to this true story, there was no better director. Adrien Brody, who I'm not a massive fan of, gives his best performance to date. His character starts off composed, confident and intelligent...then as the war progresses he drastically deteriorates both mentally and physically. The story is well developed, we follow a Jew and his family through the Jewish ghetto in Warsaw and the aftermath. He is also a pianist, and the scene where he plays to save his life from a Nazi officer is absolutely palpable...just genius. The second act does lose some momentum compared to the first and third act so there are some pacing issues, but overall it's a harrowing true story from the holocaust that everyone needs to watch.