Jane Campion"s The Piano struck a deep chord (if you"ll excuse the expression) with audiences in 1993, who were mesmerized by the film"s rich, dreamlike imagery. It is the story of a Scottish woman named Ada (Holly Hunter), who has been mute since age 6 because she simply chose not to speak. Ada travels with her daughter Flora (Anna Paquin) and her beloved piano to a remote spot on the coast of New Zealand for an arranged marriage to a farmer (Sam Neill). She gives piano lessons to a gruff neighbor (Harvey Keitel) who has Maori tattoos on his face, and, well, things develop from there. The picture takes on a powerful dream logic that simply defies synopsis. It"s a breathtakingly beautiful and original achievement from Campion, a unique stylist. The Piano won the Palme d"Or at the Cannes Film Festival and Oscars for Hunt, Paquin, and Campion"s screenplay. --Jim Emerson