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Two Pianos

Play trailer 1:49 Poster for Two Pianos May 2026 1h 55m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 24 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
After years of self-imposed exile, pianist Mathias (François Civil) returns to France, where his former mentor, Eléna (Charlotte Rampling), has invited him to perform a series of concerts with her in his hometown of Lyon. Once a rising star of the French musical scene and Eléna's prized pupil, Mathias has spent many years teaching and performing in Japan. Soon after his arrival, a chance encounter with a child who looks just like him throws Mathias into turmoil, threatening to drag him down, and leads him back to his first love, Claude (Nadia Tereszkiewicz). French master Arnaud Desplechin (My Sex Life..., A Christmas Tale) returns to some of his favorite themes -- psychologically charged homecomings and unexpected reunions (romantic and otherwise) -- in this sensual, Hitchcockian melodrama featuring one of Rampling's most delicious roles in years.
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Two Pianos

Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody The New Yorker May 12
It finds Desplechin at the height of his creative energy, and the vigor of the filming is undeniable -- but it reflects Desplechin’s affinity for the story, and his delight in unfolding it, with an efficiency that’s disguised as fullness. Go to Full Review Matt Zoller Seitz RogerEbert.com May 1
3.5/4
The main characters in 'Two Pianos’ are mostly disasters …But they all have redeeming qualities, and their brokenness makes them impossible to hate. Go to Full Review Ben Kenigsberg New York Times Apr 30
Lately Desplechin has been in a bit of a rut with critics, and this modest drama, less sprawling than much of his work, feels like an effort to reconnect with the madness of his early films. That’s a compliment. Go to Full Review Alejandro Lingenti La Nación (Argentina) Jul 9
4/5
Visually, Desplechin combines classic elegance with an extraordinarily dynamic mise-en-scène. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Violeta Kovacsics Otroscines.com Jul 7
3.5/5
Two Pianos reveals a deep affection for music, especially in the scenes of Mathias at the piano, and above all in his heartfelt performance of a Bach piece, which Desplechin films with great delicacy... [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Leandro Ariel Porcelli Cinéfilo Serial May 22
7/10
Those unfamiliar with the particular flare of french cinema may find the uncompromising complexity of their characters too far-off from the usual hollywood simplicity. More for the rest of us. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Martin C May 1 Tale of a self pitying, self centered jerk who can’t get over some lost love. Apparently very talented he returns to Lyon, and proceeds to self destruct and make everyone who knows him miserable. If you enjoy such stories this movie is for you. See more Vincent S @RT47579145 Jun 26 I was bored and the main character is a boring jerk. The drama just lays there. There are some great sex scenes but this is a pretentious slog. See more Robert A @RegalBob May 25 The movie had some redeeming qualities, but the script is blah and it never seemed to get to a compelling story. We kept waiting for this all to come together, and it never did. See more Moody C @MoodyC May 6 Feels like a really long & slow soap opera but with excellent production quality & an equally strong script. France looks beautiful here with beautiful actors & timeless classical scores but feels just a tad long & slow without anything really happening. There is some mystery & intrigue in beginning but after reveal midway it just dragged on forever. It’s a story about a free spirited guy who doesn’t wanna commit to anything permanent & those who are close to him knowing this fact. Somewat bittersweet endling. See more Stephen C @bob25009 May 1 The worldwide gross is $1,619,380.00. See more Read all reviews
Two Pianos

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Cast & Crew

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Arnaud Desplechin

Director

François Civil

Mathias

Nadia Tereszkiewicz

Claude

Charlotte Rampling

Elena

Hippolyte Girardot

Max

Alba Gaïa Kraghede Bellugi

Judith

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Two Pianos

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Two Pianos

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Movie Info

Synopsis After years of self-imposed exile, pianist Mathias (François Civil) returns to France, where his former mentor, Eléna (Charlotte Rampling), has invited him to perform a series of concerts with her in his hometown of Lyon. Once a rising star of the French musical scene and Eléna's prized pupil, Mathias has spent many years teaching and performing in Japan. Soon after his arrival, a chance encounter with a child who looks just like him throws Mathias into turmoil, threatening to drag him down, and leads him back to his first love, Claude (Nadia Tereszkiewicz). French master Arnaud Desplechin (My Sex Life..., A Christmas Tale) returns to some of his favorite themes -- psychologically charged homecomings and unexpected reunions (romantic and otherwise) -- in this sensual, Hitchcockian melodrama featuring one of Rampling's most delicious roles in years.
Director
Arnaud Desplechin
Producer
Pascal Caucheteux
Screenwriter
Arnaud Desplechin, Kamen Velkovsky
Distributor
Kino Lorber
Production Co
Why Not Productions, arte France Cinéma
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
French (France)
Release Date (Theaters)
May 1, 2026, Limited
Release Date (Streaming)
Jun 16, 2026
Box Office (Gross USA)
$11.3K
Runtime
1h 55m
Aspect Ratio
Digital 2.39:1