The Piano Lesson Review | Leisurebyte
Director: Malcolm Washington
Date Created: 2024-11-22 13:30
3.5
In this Netflix drama film set in 1936 Pittsburgh, a family feud erupts within the Charles family in the Doaker Charles household when two siblings squabble over the heirloom family piano. While Boy Willie Charles wants to sell the piano and make a fortune, sister Berniece Charles wants to hold on to the last remnants of their ancestors’ hopes and dreams. In the aftermath, family secrets come to light that none of them were prepared to handle.
The movie is an adaptation of the 1987 play by August Wilson of the same name and has a runtime of 125 minutes.
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The Piano Lesson Movie Cast
Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Danielle Deadwyler, Corey Hawkins
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The Piano Lesson 2024 Director
Malcolm Washington
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The Piano Lesson Writers
Virgil Williams, Malcolm Washington
The Piano Lesson Review
Malcolm Washington’s The Piano Lesson is a heartfelt exploration of the importance that heirlooms have in our lives and that they go beyond materialistic possessions and into something much deeper and meaningful. The film follows the Charles family as they try to figure out what to do with their heirloom piano which holds a lot of importance to its different members but in various ways. There’s electricity in the air as the siblings butt heads, with Boy Willie trying to sell it and his sister Berniece holding on to it for dear life.
While Berniece isn’t able to delve into the piano’s history and explain its significance to her daughter, it’s clear that she holds the piano in high regard thanks to its rich and terrible history. Boy Willie, however, is a different kind of hard-headed, with his grand words and high ambitions, he wants to do something with his father’s sacrifices. The movie isn’t just about siblings squabbling over ancestral property, underneath it all, there’s trauma and history buried that drives them to be who they are.
There’s an interesting discussion here surrounding the weight of this history and guilt that one cannot ignore while watching the film. It creeps up on you, just like Sutter does on the Charles family. The film does an excellent job of portraying the different emotions of the family stuck together with these heavy thoughts and decisions. There is hardly a moment of respite for the audience as we go into the terrible history of the family and understand where everyone is coming from.
Although there definitely are some moments that viewers might find slow and some that will get on your nerves, underneath it all, it’s a very demanding and intense film that feels very personal and sometimes even disturbing. The film approaches these intense situations tactfully and without overexplaining, which is always a plus. However, the best part might be the performances; both John David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler deliver impactful performances that will move you in such a fierce way. Malcolm Washington’s direction is equally moving and will leave you with a lot of feelings long after the film is over.
Final Thoughts
The Piano Lesson might not be for everyone, but it’s definitely an interesting and moving watch. The weight of one’s past and the trauma that lives with us years later are dealt with in such a way that one can’t look away from the screen. Overall, it makes for great entertainment.
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