The Pianist is a chronicle of survival. It's an unusual film, since the central character does nothing, except live. The story is true, based on the autobiography of concert pianist Wladyslaw Szpilman, who lived in Warsaw all his life. He died in the year 2000 at the age of 88.

The film opens as Szpilman's radio performance of Chopin is interrupted by bombing. It has begun. At home, his parents, his brother, and his two sisters are furiously packing. A report from Britain assures them help is nigh and they celebrate. Their jubilation is premature, as we all know.

From that point, the decline begins, in small increments at first. They have no money and must sell their possessions, including the piano. The family must move into a very small apartment in the Jewish area. A wall is built. At least they are together.

Then they have to move into a dormitory in another section of the ghetto. At least they are alive. Finally, the family is sent to the train. They don't know what it means, we do. At the last minute, Szpilman is dragged from the line by his friend in the Jewish police. He fights to get back to his family, but he can't.

For the rest of the film, Szpilman wanders around Warsaw, helped by friends and activists. His life becomes one of inertia. He has to remain hidden and silent. In one hiding place there is a piano, which he plays in his mind.

The film is not without the horrific images we dread, yet expect in Holocaust stories. A woman is shot when she asks a question. A child starves to death in the street. A family is slaughtered at the dinner table. It's highly depressing, yet director Roman Polanski does not overplay his hand.

We only see Szpilman's experiences. Most of us have enough history to piece together what is going on. Szpilman does not.

It's a two-and-a-half hour film, where we watch the gradual decline of the pianist until he is skin and bones covered in filthy rags. The movie is as slow as it needs to be to help us feel Szpilman's story as we watch it.

His victory is living. Unlike other Holocaust stories he does not thwart the Nazi war machine, or take part in the resistance. He lives, and ultimately, that is enough.


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