YMMV / The Piano

• Accidental Aesop: Although the film was intended with a pro-feminist message, others have criticized the movie for being anti-feminist, as Ada essentially prostitutes herself and falls in love with the man buying her services.
• Designated Hero: Ada may have her own challenges when it comes to communicating with others, however she commits adultery with a man who primarily took advantage of her (and falls in love with him), neglects her young daughter, and even attempts suicide in front of her.
• Hilarious in Hindsight: After winning an Oscar for playing a mute character, Holly Hunter's second most famous role uses only her voice.
• Iron Woobie: Ada, though the iron part probably comes from her muteness.
• Jerkass Woobie: Alisdair may be a domineering, control freak, and it certainly was not at all okay that he cut Ada's fingers off, but it's understandable that he would feel hurt and jealous over Ada cheating on him.
• Nightmare Fuel: Living in a bleak, bland land completely removed from home with a man whose own frustrations and awkwardness are driving him insane with jealousy? Nightmarish.
• She Really Can Act: Anna Paquin gives an amazing and completely complex three-dimensional performance in her film debut as Ada's daughter Flora, which earned her the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. And she was only 9 years old when the film was shot.
• Values Dissonance: When it came out, it was considered a great feminist film, as Ada comes to terms with expressing her sexuality. Since then, other feminists have criticized the movie as anti-feminist because Ada is essentially prostituting herself, and falls in love with the man who is trading her services for letting her play the piano (which belonged to her in the first place).
• The Woobie: Flora, who is both neglected emotionally by her own mother, and forbidden to play with the native children by her step-father.

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