The critical acclaim has, for once, been quite unanimous for Michael Haneke's "The Piano Teacher", especially due to the powerful central performance given by Isabelle Huppert.
TECHNICAL FEATURES
Picture Haneke's immediately recognisable veneer, slightly grainy and immediate, is transferred to DVD with skill.
Sound The 5.0 sound mix opens up to use the surrounds for atmospheric effects during most scenes, but narrows down to the centre speaker for a precision focus on any of the piano playing that takes place. A more diffuse sound would have been welcome, but this will vary as to personal taste.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Audio Commentary Commentaries on arthouse DVDs are a true rarity. Isabelle Huppert offers her thoughts on a 40-minute segment of the film, going into depth on her character, Erika Kohut. Her comments offer an intelligent analysis of the feeling she put into her performance, as well as sharing trivial details such as having to wear lots of jumpers during a heatwave in Vienna. Huppert also sums up her thoughts on Haneke: "His cinema is incredibly... violent.".
Elfriede Jelinek Interview The writer of the novel upon which the film is based discusses with frankness her childhood, and the common desire of her parents to see her properly educated, despite their conflicting backgrounds. She also has some acute observations of how her work is received in Austria.
Michael Haneke Interview Haneke may produce films that divide people, but in this 25-minute interview, he is not willing to be drawn into branding his work with a definitive view on what it's about - he wants the viewer to form their own interpretation of what his films say to them. Haneke also discusses the flashback footage he removed from the final film, and how the project could only commence with Huppert in place. There was for him, no substitute.
Post Synchronisation Session At 18 minutes, this featurette long outstays its welcome, but for those of you interested in the film process, it is worth a look.
Additional Extra Features Also on the DVD is a trailer and cast and crew filmographies.
Region: 2
Chapters: 18
Ratio: 1.85:1 (anamorphic)
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.0
Technical Features: Scene selection, animated menus, and English subtitles.
This DVD was reviewed on a JVC XV-S57 DVD player.
