The nine best movies about pianists

9) Fingers - Remember when James Toback used to make great movies like this instead of pure crap like Black and White? Ah, sweet, sweet times those were. 8) The Piano Teacher - It may not be a pleasant film or an easy one or even consistently great (the second half kind of lags), but Isabelle Huppert is incredible and some of the scenes will haunt you for weeks. 7) Shine - Geoffrey Rush winning the Oscar for his portrayal as David Helfgott almost makes up for Jennifer Connelly winning one for A Beautiful Mind. Or Akiva Goldsman winning one for A Beautiful Mind. Unfortunately, it doesn't make up for A Beautiful Mind winning Best Picture. What could? 6) The Piano - Remember when Jane Campion used to make great movies like this instead of pure crap like In The Cut? Maybe she's started a support group with James Toback somewhere. 5) Five Easy Pieces - This is a great example of a movie that isn't especially groundbreaking or lifechanging, but still stands out with its solid writing, acting and direction. It's also noteworthy because Jack Nicholson leaves pieces of the scenery unchewed here. 4) The Beat That My Heart Skipped - I haven't seen a movie this effortlessly cool since, I dunno, maybe Shoot the Piano Player? That scene where Thomas is bopping down the street to the beat on his headphones? Extra cool. 3) Shoot The Piano Player - Possibly belongs in Truffaut's top three and that's saying a lot. 2) Amadeus - With remake fever infecting Hollywood, I'd like to be the first to suggest that Dakota Fanning be cast as Mozart and the Olsen Twins as Salieri. 1) The Pianist - Tragic, beautiful, stirring, infuriating. Every chord it strikes is virtuosic.