The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes 2005

Critics score:
44 / 100

Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader: As in most of the Quays' fantasias, the narrative is oblique and slow moving but the florid visuals are rife with sexual and psychological overtones. Read more

Ted Fry, Seattle Times: It is a bold step into a mainstream realm for its ancient fablelike theme, agile storytelling, magnificent design and sure grasp of long-form narrative structure. Read more

Atlanta Journal-Constitution: Read more

Scott Tobias, AV Club: [Piano Tuner of Earthquakes is] one of those rare examples of a completely original environment created for the screen. Then people start talking, and the snoozing soon commences. Read more

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: The whole movie feels filmed through the wrong end of a stereopticon: stiff, fascinating, riddled with secrets it doesn't care to divulge. Read more

Kristine McKenna, Los Angeles Times: ... those who can surrender to the Quays' poetic logic will find "The Piano Tuner" to be nothing short of a masterpiece. Read more

John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press: What the movie lacks in acting and coherence, it more than makes up for through imagery. Read more

Tim Grierson, L.A. Weekly: However much The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes wants to haunt your dreams, it has a better chance of production-designing you to death. Read more

John Anderson, Newsday: That something as elusive as this gothicized, imagist romance from the curious Quay brothers should be considered their most accessible film might be considered odd. But so might they. Read more

Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News: It's probably best to approach the Quay Brothers' dreamlike fantasy (which they call 'poetic science-fiction') with the understanding that you'll never quite know what's going on. Read more

St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Read more

Bill Stamets, Chicago Sun-Times: This opaque tale offers meticulously crafted atmosphere, but rather less passion or drama. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: There's much here to enjoy. Read more

Karen Wilson, Village Voice: What we are seeing is the most rational irrationality-and all sheer artifice anyway. Read more