Pianist (The) 

Genre: war drama  

With: Adrien Brody (Wladyslaw Szpilman), Frank Finlay (his father), Maureen Lipman (his mother), Ed Stoppard (his brother Henryk), Emilia Fox (Dorota), Michal Zebrowski (Jurek), Thomas Kretschmann (Hosenfeld)

Director: Roman Polanski

Screenplay: Ronald Harwood (based on Wladyslaw Szpilman’s book)

Release: 2002

Studio: R.P. Productions, Heritage Films, Studio Babelsberg, Runteam Ltd. et al.  

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.3/10

‟[God] wants us to survive. Well, that's what we have to believe.”

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Story-line: in September 1939, Polish pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman and his family look on in despair as German forces invade their country. Their hope is rekindled when England declares war on Hitler’s Third Reich… but hope alone won’t alleviate the horrors they face daily.   

Pluses: an evenly professional cast led by Adrien Brody (an Oscar and César winner as Wladyslaw), strong direction and production values, a realistic screenplay capped by a memorable ending. 

Minuses: none I can think of.

Comments: although THE PIANIST does encroach upon SCHINDLER’S LIST early on as it describes the plight of the Jewish population of Poland, it diverges at some point to focus on one family and one atypical hero. As proof of its quality and universal value, this drama has drawn accolades in North America (other Oscars for direction and for adapted screenplay and also nominations for best picture, cinematography, costume design and film editing), in Great Britain (two BAFTAs), in Cannes (the Palme d’or) and in France (seven Césars overall).  

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Marίa, llena eres de gracia

English title: Maria Full of Grace

Genre: suspense

With: Catalina Sandino Moreno (Marίa Álvarez), Wilson Guerrero (Juan, her boyfriend), Jhon Álex Toro (Franklin), Yenny Paola Vega (Blanca), Jaime Osorio Gómez (Javier), Guilied López (Lucy Diaz), Patricia Rae (Carla), Orlando Tobón (Don Fernando)

Director: Joshua Marston

Screenplay: Joshua Marston

Release: 2004

Studio: HBO Films, Fine Line Features, Journeyman Pictures et al.

Rating: R

MBiS score: 8.3/10

When It Just Has to Get There

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Story-line: in a small Colombian town, Marίa suffers a debilitating job, a family that relies too heavily on her and a boyfriend she doesn’t really like. Meeting Franklin opens up a whole new world for the young lady… but a world more hazardous than she could imagine.  

Pluses: convincing acting by Catalina Sandino Moreno and a fine group of actors, precise cinematography and editing, Joshua Marston’s no-frills direction and his tough, realistic screenplay à la DIRTY PRETTY THINGS.  

Minuses: be warned that the third act is particularly potent. 

Comments: this small-scale, highly efficient thriller rivals much bigger productions and presents material that is fresh and very shocking. No wonder MARIA FULL OF GRACE has been heralded by reviewers everywhere.

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