Enthralling Piano Duet from `Stoker

A conversation on a most enthralling piece (Duet, by Philip Glass) in a most enthralling film (`Stoker):

My favorite scene from the movie. And not to mention one of the best and tastefully done "sex" scenes ever. And yet, it's so wrong.

How is it sexual?

if you notice, when the scene begins, she's fantasizing about her uncle. This movie is basically about her coming of age. The piano duet represents intimacy between the two of them. The piano is her domain, but then he joins her. Notice how close their fingers become as they share the keys on the piano for the first time. When he crosses over from bass clef to treble clef (and has to basically wrap his arm around India) it's very arousing to her. Notice the way she crosses her legs tighter and tighter beneath the piano. At the end, it's as if she was anticipating his kiss, but he didn't oblige, either because it was her fantasy and he wasn't actually there, or because it was simply part of his plan. Charlie was able to awaken a part of her that had been dormant. He unofficially helped begin her transition to womanhood. If you look at the rest of the movie, she's in competition with her mother for his affection, but little does her mother know he is only interested in India anyhow.

Wow, that was really deep! Thanks, I completely understand now!

sure! You're welcome.

Very well-said! It's a coming-of-age for India, that's complicated by loss, grief and suspicion. There was an Electra Complex at play with her father, which, after considerable disruption and tension, re-emerged with her uncle. Her mother was the unfortunate odd-woman-out. This piano duet is so enthralling! I agree that India is probably in bed having an erotic fantasy, but Park Chan-wook keeps us delightfully guessing. That is as much Charlie's longstanding fantasy, and he's methodic at capturing India's heart and body. Ironically, they seem made for each other: Both are odd birds, acutely sensitive, and positively ruthless.

YES! Elektra complex all the way! I love the way you think. And what's unfortunate about her mother is that she feels threatened by her own child! Granted, India has a taste for blood, but she had every chance to kill her mother (or let good ol' uncle Charlie do it for her) but she didn't take it. I want a sequel. LOL

Many thanks! Evie wasn't much of a threat in this complex, as India was clearly the intellectual and psychological superior. The bond between father and daughter was clearly the most powerful in the family, which was also probably a cause for bitter envy for Charlie. But again Park Chan-wook threw in an irony: Charlie misjudged (or overestimated) any desire on India's part to off her mother. I hope there's a sequel, too :)