Customer Reviews

A Piano for Mrs. Cimino [VHS]

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Legendary screen star Bette Davis gives one of her finest performances as Esther Cimino, a 73 year old woman who goes off the deep end shortly after being widowed. Hastily diagnosed by a doctor as having senile dementia, the befuddled and clearly confused Mrs. Cimino is adjudicated incompetent and has her home, business, and other assets placed in the hands of a questionable trustee, as her sons ineffectually look on.

Mrs. Cimino's loving granddaughter, Karen, sees to her welfare, usurping her father, Mrs. Cimino's son, who is all too ready to consign his mother to a sterile and expensive institution. Karen places her grandmother in a caring, convalescent home, which is governed by a director who has a personal rapport with all those in her care. Under the director's patient ministrations, Mrs. Cimino's memory and mind heal, only to discover that her sons have allowed the trustee to sell her home and all her personal belongings, including her beloved piano.

Her dignity and health restored, Mrs. Cimino sets about salvaging what she can of her life. She seeks to regain her independence and assert control over her remaining assets. On the road to self determination, she finds a long lost friend of her youth, Barney (Keenan Wynn), and his love for her inadvertently spurs her on to regain what she has lost.

Ms. Davis gives a powerful and affecting performance in the role of Esther Cimino, playing her with intelligence, grace, sensitivity, and dignity. Ms. Davis makes Mrs. Cimino a fully three dimensional woman, one whom the viewer comes to admire and respect. Ms. Davis is simply sensational.

Keenan Wynn is wonderful as Barney, a vital, vigorous, and sexy senior citizen in whose heart hope springs eternal. His relationship with Esther suggests to the viewer that the best is yet to come. It is through her relationship with Barney that the viewer discovers the underlying trauma that triggered the breakdown that set Esther on her personal odyssey.

This is an illuminating film on issues confronting the elderly, and the assumptions that are often made about them by society and family. It allows the viewer to see the fate of so many of the elderly today, given the quality of care for those who may not be able to care for themselves. It also explores alternative possibilities which tantalize the viewer with what could be. This is also not a film that is afraid to explore the possibililty of romantic love among the elderly.

All in all, this is a terrific movie that can be appreciated and enjoyed by young and old alike.

An excellent film. Bette Davis is beyond equal in her betrayal of what happens to elderly people when life creates change and they cannot adapt. Also focuses on the family, their eagerness to make her appear confused and put her away in a nursing home for their convenience. This film depicts how Mrs. Cimino's granddaughter rescues and rehabilitates her grandmother. As an AACN board certified RN in Gerontology, I see this happen every day. Maybe if more people were aware of this movie, we would treat our elderly in a more caring manner. You might not be old now, but you will be someday.

Through the death of her husband, Mrs Cimino [Davis] has retreated into a secluded life, convincing her family and the courts that she has lost her sanity. Her personal rights are all taken away, but with the help of her grand-daughter she must fight to regain her sanity and control of her life. Bette Davis quotes in her autobiography that this portrayal was one of her best. I found this film poignant and inspirational showing the capabilities of one's own personal stength and will-power.

A Piano For mrs. Cimino is truly a poignant, and heartwarming film that I highly suggest to all.

"One woman's struggle against senility...and the system.

Soon after being widowed a bewildered Esther Cimino(Bette Davis)finds her mind and her world sliping away. Declared incompetent by the court, Esther's home and music store are the first to go as her sons hastily divide up her assets.

But Esther's college-age granddaughter, Karen, won't allow her grandmother to vanish into the oblivion of senility. Karen infuses her grandmother with love and determination, and an innovative convalescent hospital awakens her memory and sense of dignity.

Released fromt he hospital, Esther finds Barney (Keenan Wynn), a long-lost friend whose love gives her courage to fight for her independence. Bette Davis' performance as Esther is sensitive and moving in the tradition audiences have come to expect from this legendary screen star.