Backbencher

Ada, a mute, widowed woman, is made to move to New Zealand with her young daughter Flora in order to marry Stewart whom she has never met. She speaks in sign language with her nine-year-old daughter Flora and writes messages on a tablet hanging from her neck. Upon arrival in New Zealand, Ada is told she must leave her beloved piano on the beach. Ada, whose whole existence centers on her piano, refuses, but the piano is too heavy to be carried the long distance so it is left behind. George Baines, who has Maori tattoos on his face, offers to trade some of his land to his boss for the piano, which he retrieves from the beach. He then asks Ada to give him lessons. She learns that he will sell the piano back to her in exchange for amorous favors. A glimpse of her shoulder, a caress of her leg are turned into a slow erotic courtship. At first, Ada is repulsed by this crude man's advances. Then her desire is aroused and finally her passion. Flora is the first to realize something is going on between her mother and Baines. She lets her stepfather know that there are no sounds of the piano during Ada's lessons. Stewart goes to Baines's cabin and witnesses their lovemaking. In a fit of rage, he locks his wife up. Ada secretly has her daughter bring Baines a piano key with something inscribed on it. Flora brings it to Stewart and in a fit of rage he chops off one of Ada’s fingers and has Flora bring it to Baines. I really liked the movie which showed the Maori people and we were able to hear the Maori language. There was never a dull moment or anything I disliked.