The Piano

Ada McGrath and her daughter Flora set sail from Scotland for colonial New Zealand. Ada, who suffers from elective mutism, is embarking on an arranged marriage with settler Alisdair Stewart, leaving behind her old life filled with memories and silence.

After a mishap involving the ship's crew, Ada, Flora, and their cherished piano find themselves stranded on a beach in New Zealand. This unexpected turn of events sets the stage for the complex relationships that will develop between the characters.

Alisdair Stewart arrives on the beach with his Māori crew and neighbor George Baines, introducing Ada to her new reality. George, a retired sailor with Māori facial tattoos, becomes intrigued by Ada's passion for her music and the silent language she uses.

Through a bold proposition, George offers to exchange land for Ada's piano and lessons. Although Alisdair is unaware of George's feelings for Ada, the exchange sets off a chain of events that complicate their lives and relationships.

Ada reluctantly agrees to teach George piano, limiting their lessons to the black keys. This arrangement fosters a bond between them, despite Ada's resistance to his romantic advances and her frustration with Alisdair.

As Ada continues teaching George, she begins to explore her own sensuality away from Alisdair’s advances. Their emotional connection becomes undeniable, which prompts George to return the piano to Ada in a selfless act.

Alisdair overhears an intimate moment between Ada and George, leading to a violent confrontation. He forces Ada to vow to cease seeing George, establishing a tense atmosphere filled with control and resistance.

Ada instructs Flora to deliver a love note to George, but it ends up in Alisdair's hands, igniting his wrath. He reacts violently, severely punishing Ada by severing her index finger, which robs her of her ability to play piano.

Alisdair sends Flora to deliver a threatening message to George after incapacitating Ada. The tension escalates as the stakes become higher for Ada, George, and Flora, creating an atmosphere of fear.

Ada and George seize an opportunity to escape from Alisdair, loading her belongings and piano onto a Māori canoe. Their flight symbolizes a quest for freedom, but also places them in a precarious situation.

In a moment of despair, Ada asks George to throw the piano overboard as they navigate to safety. This act signifies her struggle between her love for music and the desire for freedom from her painful past.

Caught in the tethered rope of the piano, Ada finds herself submerged under the water in a desperate struggle for survival. Just as she begins to succumb to the depths, a change of heart compels her to fight for her life.

In the epilogue, Ada reflects on her new life in Nelson, New Zealand with George and Flora. As she embraces healing, she teaches piano, while adapting to life with a metal finger crafted by George.

As they settle into their new home, Ada embarks on a journey of healing after the trauma she experienced. Her desire to regain her voice compels her to practice speech and contend with haunting memories of her lost piano.

Despite her efforts to move forward, Ada is frequently haunted by dreams of her piano resting at the ocean's bottom. These dreams symbolize her unresolved emotions and the weight of her past that continues to follow her.