Everyone's converging in Chicago for a one-off concert. Pianist Tom (Wood) hasn't performed for five years, and this comeback has been organised by his superstar actress wife Emma (Bishe). They're even flying in the custom piano once owned by Tom's mentor Patrick (Taylor), whose fortune was never found after his death. Under huge pressure from the press and public, Tom is quietly confident until sees the words "Play one note wrong and you die" written on his score by an angry fan (Cusack) who leads him on a wild cat-and-mouse game during his performance.

The story plays almost in real time, as Spanish filmmaker Mira builds Hitchcockian suspense with a mood-setting title sequence, clever camerawork, long takes and witty editing. As the audience gathers, there are all sorts of small dramas going on. Tom has awkward encounters with his conductor (McManus) and his assistant (Winter). And Emma's diva friend (Egerton) and her browbeaten husband (Leech) bicker before getting caught up in the events that follow. There's also a witty suggestion that this is all in Tom's frazzled mind.

It's slightly ridiculous that Tom could perform this super-complex piece note-perfect while talking to his oppressor, worrying about his sister, making a phone call and even sending a text message. This absurdity adds a subtly comical tone that grows as the villain gets increasingly petulant. And the actors dive into the scenario so fully that we can't help but just go with it.

Mira confidently refuses to be distracted by the fact that the plot itself doesn't hold water. Instead, he unfolds the mystery slowly and deliberately, revealing secrets along the way and shocking the audience with some truly gruesome surprises. Meanwhile, deeply felt performances ad some emotion to even the silliest plot points, especially in the corny action-mayhem climax. Although Tom's journey to personal redemption is much more interesting. As is the fact that the audience never notices when you play a bad note.

themes, language, violence

31.Aug.14