Sam Howard

Shirley MacLaine stars as the eccentric and endearing Madame Sousatzka, a flamboyant piano instructor who teaches gifted students how to play, and how to live. In her dark London flat that serves as a shrine to her troubled musical past, Madame Sousatzka begins teaching a charismatic young prodigy named Manek (Navin Chowdhry). Pulling Manek away from Madame's disciplined teachings are his ambitious mother, a relentless talent agent, and his own desire to follow the reckless whims of a teenage life. When her talented young protege decides to debut at a prestigious concert against her wishes, Madame Sousatzka once again faces the pain of losing a cherished part of her life to the changing world around her. Oscar®-winning director John Schlesinger paints a rich, multi-layered portrait in this uplifting, critically-acclaimed drama co-starring Peggy Ashcroft, Shabana Azmi and Twiggy.

While living in London, a Bengali immigrant (Shabana Azmi) strives to support the talents of her piano-playing child prodigy (Navin Chowdhry). Her search for a teacher to hone her son's gift leads to the Russian-born Madame Sousatzka (Shirley MacLaine, in a Golden Globe-winning performance), a woman who demands total commitment. When Sousatzka insists that her new pupil live his life in a "proper" manner, major conflicts arise between the two.

A flamboyant piano instructor who teaches gifted students how to play, and how to live. In her dark London flat that serves as a shrine to her troubled musical past, Madame Sousatzka begins teaching a charismatic young prodigy named Manek (Navin Chowdhry). Pulling Manek away from Madame's disciplined teachings are his ambitious mother, a relentless talent agent, and his own desire to follow the reckless whims of a teenage life. When her talented young protege decides to debut at a prestigious concert against her wishes, Madame Sousatzka once again faces the pain of losing a cherished part of her life to the changing world around her.

A flamboyant piano instructor who teaches gifted students how to play, and how to live. In her dark London flat that serves as a shrine to her troubled musical past, Madame Sousatzka begins teaching a charismatic young prodigy named Manek (Navin Chowdhry). Pulling Manek away from Madame's disciplined teachings are his ambitious mother, a relentless talent agent, and his own desire to follow the reckless whims of a teenage life. When her talented young protege decides to debut at a prestigious concert against her wishes, Madame Sousatzka once again faces the pain of losing a cherished part of her life to the changing world around her.