Talkback: the piano teacher

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From:	Bryan Cardenas	2004-04-29 15:09:30
Subject:	Comment !
Comment:	This film to me is the expression of human behavior in the most exreme and normal possible way. We are what we are and 'the piano teacher' is a sign that tells us who we are and where we came from.
From:	Mary	2004-05-22 15:47:56
Subject:	The Piano Teacher
Comment:	I just watched this movie. SPOILER BELOW......... I saw the glass in the pocket episode in a totally different way. Erika (piano teacher) saw Walter being kind/flirting with Natile (akward pupil) and became enraged. You could see it in her face, and when she told Walter to go and help Natile. She also put the glass pieces in the pocket of Natile's 'strong hand' making it even worse if that's possible. I feel it was an act of spite. Further cementing the fact Erika didn't not know how to express her emotions in a healthy manner. I am not quite sure about the ending.........
From:	Maggie	2004-08-25 08:28:10
Subject:	Piano Teacher
Comment:	Did no one notice Mom's comment in the beginning that no student should be better than the teacher? It's perfect logic that the daughter had to destroy the possibility of her student ever being better than she was. Insanity is perfectly logical...
From:	Canan	2006-02-23 03:03:40
Subject:	Funny Games
Comment:	If this movie was heavy to digest, consider 'Funny Games' from the same director. There doesn't seem to be any apparent reason for the infinite insanity of some of this director's characters. Then the movie finishes, the viewer is left emotionally drained with no answers whatsoever as to why the cruel characters act the way they do....
From:	Kira	2007-03-30 22:33:18
Subject:	mom/daughter relationship
Comment:	First of all, I fully agree with the earlier comment concerning the episode with the glass in the pocket. That was purely jealous act. I also fully agree with the next comment saying Erika tries to protect herself from being outplayed by her pupil. In particular, shes makes an effort to ban Walter from playing Schubert, or even to enter the conservatory, when she realizes that he might be a superior pianist compared to her. This reveals a lot about the role her mother played in directing her daughter's life and career. The more stunning discovery you make about Erika's emotional dependence on her mother, if you notice how the latter calms the daughter before the concert at the end: she does it twice, saying that Erika is going just to substitute for a pupil. Is not it remarkable to hear? Those who ever performed in public, know the terror of anticipation, but you would think that established pianist wouldn't be nervous playing as an accompanist on a student's concert. The last episode I wanted to mention is when the mother starts throwing off the clothes out of wardrobe. At first I did not understand it, but then realize that it was her husband's and Erika's father clothes, immediately following the news that he has died. Is not this scene clear enough in explaining of mother-daughter's attitude to the men's world?
From:	Nomad	2007-09-08 02:22:10
Subject:	The broken glass scene
Comment:	It's good to see others talking about this provacative and disturbing film. In relation to the broken glass scene, i do not think that it is simply jealousy which drives her to that moment. I don't think Erika sees the damage as being permanent, as all her mutilating and violent acts are for the sake of momentary pain and escape(which most cutters seek) and are not seen as being definitively final. It seemed more like a twisted lesson or 'tough love' scenario ,as later she tells the mother of the student to make sure she practises with her left hand as a trick that teachers do where they make sure their student doesn't depend on their strength to compensate for their weaknesses. Also, I'd like to hear people's opinions about the boy. By the end of it, is he simply satisfied and done with her or what?