MovieChat Forums > La pianiste (2001) Discussion > Did Walter know Erika was responsible of...

Did Walter know Erika was responsible of the injury to her student's hand?


When Erika's student injured herself, Erika said to Walter: "The site of blood makes me ill. Go to her. Be her brave protector," and she dashed off to the bathrooms. Walter gave her this look and went after her.

Did he know it was Erika who did it, and did he mind it? Thoughts?





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I think Erika's sudden strange reaction and what she said made him realize that it was her.





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The look on his face indicated he did know it was Erika. What's interesting, he wasn't turned off by her actions but actually wanted her afterwards. Did he like that she was jealous or sadistic? For those that read the book, did he know Erika was responbile for the incident?

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btw..thanks Lemoen for asking the question, I was also curious as if he knew Erika was responsible.

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Of course, he noticed her leaving the room right before while they were on the piano, or coming back, I'm not sure which. He was flattered at the time when he realised, that she would do something that extreme out of jealousy in a way, because he didn't know what would come after.

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This is not really answering your OP but I thought this scene was exquisite - one of those rare moments in films where the character is so finely captured. The way she delicately wrapped the scarf around the bottle and then gracefully deposited the broken glass in the pocket of the coat before placing the scarf back on the coat rack but in the wrong place. Just loved it. I'm a Dario Argento fan and I could imagine this scene in one of his films.

I'm a fountain of blood
In the shape of a girl

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Yep.. I think he knew it was her.

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I'm probably completely wrong but I thought it was possible that he didn't know she did it. I felt that after what she said, Walter wanted to protect her (the piano teacher) because she was being so selfless and fragile at the same time. At that point, I don't think he had any clue how messed up she really was. When he went up to the bathroom to seduce her, I believe he expected a "normal" type of sexual conquest.

I can see it from the other perspective as well though.




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