The Piano Teacher

AroView: Isabelle Huppert gives the bravest and possibly best performance of her career as a brittle, imbalanced music teacher in a drama that might prove too distressing for some, and yet satisfying for those with the emotional and moral reserve.

Driven to crippling self-destruction when she enters into a passionate relationship with a talented young student, her particular psychosis is never really defined or explained, but is to the credit of the actress’ dedication that she remains such a rigidly compelling character. Directed with equally austere precision by the ever-controversial Michael Haneke, his is a wincingly severe recital cloaked in seductive European elegance.