Grand Piano (Film – Starring Elijah
Wood and John Cusack)
I was intrigued after seeing a
preview of this movie and for once the film lived up to the trailer.
Elijah Wood plays Tom Selznick, a
piano prodigy who left the stage five years ago after freezing during a
performance. He is making his widely
anticipated return in Chicago with his successful movie star wife in the audience. As he sits down to play and turns the pages
of his music he notices terrifying messages scrawled on the score in red
marker. Basically if he plays a wrong
note his wife will be murdered.
Naturally he doesn’t believe a word until the red laser light starts
tracking across the score.
This is an edge of your seat
thriller. I got anxious every time Selznick
left the stage during a piece, yes there was a lull in the music and he wasn’t
needed, but how often does the star of the show leave his bench during the
middle of a piece? Then again I don’t
think I’ve ever been at a performance where a member of the orchestra’s life
was threatened. At least I hope
not! The pacing of the movie is great,
there is never a dull moment, which is amazing in and of itself since the
action all takes place in a music hall during the performance.
Why is it so important that Selznick
doesn’t play a wrong note? How can he
get help while trapped on stage? You’ll
need to watch to find out.
