MovieChat Forums > The Pianist (2003) Discussion > Szpilman's will to live

Szpilman's will to live

posted 11 years ago by fiatlux-1
2 replies | jump to latest

Good God, can you even conjure up a life like this man had after he was all alone?

I've read the book, and while parts of it are literally unforgettable (such as his narrative about the man who ran the orphanage), its strangely emotionless.
He gives little insight to his mental status during this time.

I know the survival instinct is strong, but seriously? How many could (or would want to) live through that?

"I'd say this cloud is Cumulo Nimbus."
"Didn't he discover America?"
"Penfold, shush."

[–] fairy_depp 11 years ago

Definitely.. But I think (at least in the film), he had some luck on his side. Obviously to be in the situation in the first place was awful but to have someone who was willing to keep him off the trains to the camps, then there were many cases of Nazis almost finding him hidden away (when he was planning to jump out of the window for instance) and then finally, for the nazi who did find him to be sympathetic, whilst everyone around him died, someone up there was looking out for him.

[–] jrock-23 11 years ago

he certainly had some luck. But some say luck is a product of hard work and opportunity :)

I also agree with the OP. The mental struggle of this man. wow.

imho, Adrian Brody was great. He earned that Holly Berry kiss.