La lección de piano

I caught this at a Tiff screening on Sept 11, 2024 and it did not disappoint. The film is adapted by a play of the same name by August Wilson, which follows two siblings, one who want to sell a precious family heirloom (Washington), a piano, for money, the other (Deadwyler) who wants to keep it. The acting in the film, especially from Deadwyler is unreal; you cannot avert your eyes from her performance, as well as strong supporting actors the entire time. The film itself, while the slightest bit too long, is very well made. Malcolm Washington comes in strong with his directorial feature debut, and has a promising future ahead. The film is deeply disturbing and at times plays a bit too much into supernatural elements, but overall, if you are looking for a good thriller with great performances, this should be on your radar when it releases on Netflix.

It reminds me "Fences" - another Washington production with Washington in the leading role. I guess it is me and my taste, because in that experience and on this current, the results were the same. Big appreciation to the leading actors, but not less boredom, due to the content.

This time it is based on a play by August Wilson, and it definitely feels like an adaptation for a play. The actors are gathered in one location for most of the movie's runtime and most of the time they are talking with one other, until the end of the film, which takes a wild twist for different types of genre.

One of the most interesting themes of this movie is the Washingtons. Malcolm Washington is the director, John David Washington is one of the main characters and of course Papa Denzel is one of the producers. Not enough? Sister Olivia Washington and Mama Pauletta are both in minor parts of the cast.

John David has upgraded his level of acting in this one. He is like fire and also has dynamite dynamic and chemistry with Danielle Deadwyler, which proves once again that she is one of the best and underrated actresses in Hollywood of these days.

A small surprise in a very good role is Ray Fisher, that everyone knows as Cyborg. And Sam Jackson will be Sam Jackson. Marvellous as always. He is not a main character but contributes in his own special way without stealing the thunder of both main characters.

The story revolves around two siblings that meet after a lot of time they didn't meet and have an argument about selling or keeping a nostalgic Piano. No piano lessons will be learned with any piano teacher. However, lessons from this piano's history will be taught by the pound and those two will verbally brawl, until spilling out all the bad blood between them and their ancestors.

That takes us to the pace and rhythm of this movie. Seems that even the actors' abilities cannot prevent the audience from the desire to set their heads on the couch and go to sleep, throughout some major parts of the movie. Maybe as a theatre show it would be much more successful, but for cinema and especially home cinema, it doesn't work so well.

The Piano Lesson, delves into the lives of a Black family grappling with their history during a time marked by oppression and loss. The story focuses on Bernice (Danielle Deadwyler) and her daughter, who live with her uncle Doaker (Samuel L. Jackson). The plot unfolds as Bernice's brother, Boy Willie (John David Washington), visits, and we gradually uncover the family's past, including the mystery of Bernice's late husband and the deep significance of their treasured piano.

The film explores weighty themes such as Black slavery, grief, guilt, single motherhood, and moral dilemmas. Adapted from August Wilson's play, part of his celebrated Pittsburgh Cycle (which also includes Fences and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom), the movie carries a similar pacing and tone, though it feels closer to Fences in structure.

Danielle Deadwyler delivers an outstanding performance, portraying Bernice with emotional depth and nuance. She is undoubtedly a rising star, evoking comparisons to Viola Davis. Her performance deserves serious awards consideration. By contrast, I found John David Washington's portrayal of Boy Willie overacted, making it harder to connect with his character. Samuel L. Jackson and Ray Fisher (as Lymon) brought solid supporting performances, grounding the narrative effectively.

The cinematography and direction were immersive, giving the house and the piano a lived-in, almost iconic feel. The dialogue is beautifully written, seamlessly weaving past and present. While I found the ending slightly overdone, the film's overall impact remains strong.

I would rate The Piano Lesson a 7/10-higher than Ma Rainey's Black Bottom but slightly behind Fences. Danielle Deadwyler's performance alone makes this film worth watching, and the music and writing are nothing short of masterful.

I was really hoping I'd love this, but I didn't. It was visually authentic, but the music was completely destroyed! How do you miss on something as important as the music, in this play??? The "Berta Berta" scene was completely altered, and "Rambling, Gambling Man" was nowhere to be found. Damn shame. They also never show the Yellow Dog train, just smoke! What?

Don't get me started on how stupid they made Lymon. He wasn't dumb in the play, just lonely, naive, and sensitive. I really hated his portrayal. Secondly, Charles Dutton will forever be my favorite Boy Willie. Baby boy Washington just wasn't getting it.

It's not completely messed up, just too different for my tastes. The Washingtons should have just kept the classic aspects in tact.

The Piano Lesson is a 2024 horror, drama and comedy starring John David Washington as Boy Willie, a young man who goes about doing business selling watermelons with his best friend Lymon (Ray Fisher). However, things start to take a turn drastically when the family home keeps a piano that is cursed with an evil spirit. As our protagonists start to do things like move the piano out of sight, the piano itself starts to haunt them supernaturally.

Adapted from a play, this story is very enjoyable and hilarious at times with it's cheery tone and marvellous acting. It may sound like a horror film but it really isn't, most of the characters that revolve around the piano actually have a nice build up until a haunting climax. All cast involved did a great job, including the impressive directorial debut of Malcolm Washington (whom I got to meet!) and the rest of the cast were great and they all had their unique personality, something not easy to do. But I think there's one character that stands above them all though, Lymon, oh what a character! He was kind of a gentle giant and his scenes throughout the movie are some of the best.

The only flaw with the film itself, and it's what got it a 7, some of the scenes really dragged out and were very slow but not all of them. For example, we have a really funny conversation about what clothes fit Lymon and that lasts about a few minutes but, no spoilers, there's this one argument around the halfway point that lasts quite a bit. I know it's a play but I'd rather have this time used on some of the perspectives of the characters rather than a argument to show powerful acting.

Overall, really great watch would highly recommend this when it comes out on November, most certainly a pleasant watch and very quotable. You will probably be watching this more than once when it hits netflix.

Grade: A

London film festival 12th October.