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
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
Bill Stamets, Chicago Sun-Times: This opaque tale offers meticulously crafted atmosphere, but rather less passion or drama. Read more
Karen Wilson, Village Voice: What we are seeing is the most rational irrationality-and all sheer artifice anyway. Read more