The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes

As a huge fan of the Quay's last excursion into live action filmmaking ("Institute Benjamenta") I was thrilled at the chance to see another feature from such richly textured imaginations. "Piano Tuner of Earthquakes" actually exceeded my expectations and then some. It's one of the greatest works of cinema I've ever seen. The meanings inherent in this film come only partially through the plotline. Narrative in most commercial films is the most heavily weighted element (second behind star power). What we have here is a real work of art where every element is given loving attention. This is not a literal story, it is a symbolic dreamscape with sounds, textures, gestures, facial expressions, even down to the glint of light off a glass window giving a profound numinous charge. Many viewers will find this wealth of detail overwhelming without being led by the hand with the conscious contrivance of conventional storyline. But here, the Quay's have perhaps been too compromised. Their tale is a little too clear and dialogue and voice overs too concerned with romanticized story telling (but that's my taste; I realize the general public prefers an even more linear presentation). Still this concession to popular taste doesn't detract from the essential power of it's imagery, which is considerable. The sound design stands out as one of it's most imaginative features, as textured as the visuals. Very delicate and multi-leveled, there are some astonishing passages that rival any soundtrack I've ever heard. On the other hand there are a couple of themes that are too prominent (a Spanish-style melody played on electric guitar and a "Vertigo"-like love theme). All together this film distills the essences the Quay brothers have been exploring throughout their career and presents these essences in a glorious ripened form of an adult myth. There's a palpable sensual power here of longings and obsessions that build to a thick swelling of contradictory passions. These conflicted subterranean passions lead to the final earthquake, an upheaval where the opera theater and it's players collapse inward. This is NOT a film for everyone. The viewer must participate in deciphering; it's deeper meanings are not simply stated. It's a challenging experience and many will not want that in their film viewing. However, if you are intrigued by dreams and surreal imagery, you should definitely see this film, it stands among the greatest ever made!

The Quay brothers are probably best known for their work in pop music videos, and it is a bit ironic that their contribution to Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer is simultaneously their most-viewed endeavor and the one they themselves are least satisfied with. "The Piano Player of Earthquakes" is an avant-gard film of great sensitivity, creativity and innovation. Despite their mastery of computer and model-generated animation, they remain emotive artists fully-cognitive of the history of cinema, which expresses itself in everything from the props, the lighting, the stylized dialogue, the costumes, and the wonderful animation. The Quay brothers remain brilliant and at the top of their form. A word of warning: this is NOT a "Hollywood" film and the plot is not linear; at times the visual operates independent of the dialogue. I found this intriguing and engaged me to actively follow along using all of my senses. I turned off the little voice in my head that asked, "Why did he say that? Where is this going?" and enjoyed watching this film. If you always watch the bloated Hollywood type film you might not enjoy this work but then again, why not see something different? Why not expand your idea of what makes for brilliant cinema and see something which is unique? In "Piano Tuner of Earthquakes" there is a delicate balance between visual art, (excellent) acting, poetic dialogue and haunting, evocative music. The interview with the Quay brothers is a great bonus on this DVD. I learned a lot about the problems they faced and overcame in making this film, as well as insight into their individual contributions, which has puzzled me because they are of course identical twins and know each other so well -- completing each other's sentences. They are great artists who have fearlessly continued to make engaging filmic art. "The Piano Player of Earthquakes."

incredible movie

Along with the majority of reviewers here, I found The Piano Tuner Of Earthquakes to be an immensely enjoyable film. Combining all the signature elements that we've come to expect (and love) from the Quays, with an almost Greenaway-esque sense of narrative. Anyone with an interest in the surreal, lyrical or poetic would do well to track this film down. Seeing as many other reviews have gone into great depth with the film's content, I'll skip right to the point. This film has received two major DVD releases; one in the States via Zeitgeist (featured here), and one in the UK via Artificial Eye. Given the special features on the two DVDs are relatively similar, one would think that the prints would be sourced from the same materials. I'm not exactly sure what happened, but the Zeitgeist print is noticeably darker and murkier than the Artificial Eye release. Not just a little bit, either. Scenes that shine with light and detail in the UK edition are barely visible in the US release - some scenes are a struggle to make out at all. I'm genuinely surprised that no one else has raised this issue in their reviews here. Granted many may not have had the chance to compare prints, but it was the sheer dullness of the Zeitgeist print that moved me to seek out the UK version.. And I'm very glad I did. If you've already purchased the Zeitgeist release and are happy with it, there's probably no need to ditch it for the Artificial Eye copy. But if you haven't bought a copy yet, or have been thinking similar things to me with regard to the quality of the print, seek out the UK edition. I think you'll be surprised by the difference. NOTE: The UK release also contains a 5.1 track and a deleted scene, neither of which are available on the release featured here.

good and in time

外国からの発送なので1ヶ月くらいを覚悟していましたが、2週間もかからず落手できました。

Film in inglese con sottotitoli in lingua buoni e con attori very per i "signori delle bambole" Americani di adozione Britannica, ovverosia i Quay Brothers. La fotografia è incredibilmente sognante, dettagliata, patinata e ricca. La storia è quasi un dramma teatrale surrealista che rappresenta una storia d'amore, ahinoi, senza lieti fine. Per chi vuole vedere i gemelli alle prese con atmosfere più colorite (ma non per questo meno inquietanti) e con attori in carne ed ossa, è una pellicola poetica e molto bella. Tuttavia, la storia, frammentata, accennata e non esaustiva, potrà risultare astratta ai più. Rimane un film molto particolare e sentito, che consiglio.

I was extremely disappointed by the brothers second live action feature. Visually this is an absolute treat to the eyes, but unfortunately the narrative is an absolute mess. This is a shame because I think the story is a brilliant idea that perfectly fits in to their back catalogue of work.. But it's as if they became a bit lost when filming on a bigger scale. Also I found that whenever there was a brief piece of stop-motion, I was reminded of how brilliant their short model animations are - and how terrible this is! The hour long interview with the brothers (special feature) is interesting and informative. Reflecting on their childhood/education and how they became animators. They also talk about the Channel 4 backers wanting this second feature to have well known actors, be in colour and have more of a story... Maybe next time they should put two fingers up at the fat cats in their offices and go off and do what they want to do. Grrrrrrrrrr - makes me sick seeing good talent being miss guided in such a way.

very modern very socialist a very progressive pustule on the beshitted bit of distended rectum of subhumanities hurt feelings fattened on fast food nostalgia and classic kitsch kink