Herald rating: *
Running time: 92 mins
Rental: Now
Review: Ewan McDoanld
Bernardo Bertolucci's movie opens in Africa, with soldiers dragging a teacher from his classroom in front of his students and wife Shandurai (Thandie Newton).
She flees to Rome and becomes a medical student; to pay her way she's maid to Mr Kinsky
(David Thewlis), an eccentric genius who whiles away the days on the piano.
One day, as you do in the movies, he decides he loves her and asks her to marry him. "You get my husband out of jail," she challenges.
Their life continues almost as before; gradually we realise Mr Kinsky is selling his possessions to raise the money to win her husband's freedom. Yes, the piano goes.
What can she give him in return? Payment is hinted — and in the morning, her husband stands outside Mr Kinsky's flat, ringing the bell again and again.
Too many questions, not enough answers.
