By Jack Ransom - November 26, 2024
An adaptation of the critically acclaimed stage play. The Piano Lesson sees the Charles family (John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Samuel L. Jackson & Michael Potts) grapple with family legacy and difficult decisions as they determine the fate of their heirloom piano, exploring deeper themes along the way.
I knew pretty much nothing about this going in (which was incredibly refreshing). I was aware of the title due to it screening at the BFI Film Festival earlier this year, but as of until about 10 minutes before I hit play on Netflix and gave the trailer a viewing, I really knew not of the tone, plot or context. What drew my attention was the stellar cast ensemble and cryptic yet striking poster that immediately peaked my interest.
It turns out that this is part of an unofficial trilogy of stage play adaptations from August Wilson (who also wrote the original theatrical scripts for Fences & Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom), of whom was dubbed “the theatre’s poet of Black America.” Having not seen the original stage production (though one search will show the many positive reviews), I can’t compare this adaptation. Its theatricality in the story structure is apparent, and whilst it can feel a little tonally jumbled, with jarring cuts between scenes, and having to balance a multitude genres at points (the pacing does slow down midway through the third act, before a barnstorming finale) the central focus upon the Charles homestead and the quality of dialogue helps paint interesting and engaging pictures of these characters and what their family legacy means to each of them.
The Piano Lesson can be added to the list of many films that really deserved a proper cinema release instead of getting dropped onto streaming and to be inevitably lost in the void by next weekend. For a feature length debut it’s undeniably impressive what Malcolm Washington (the most talented family in Hollywood?) delivers here. The camera movements and staging of the cast keep it tight in the substantial interior location of the Charles’ home and the surprisingly unexpected horror elements that raise their head in full force in the third act are suitably intense. There are plenty of creative and beautiful shots that are begging to be seen cinematically and the production design and costumes do a great job of capturing the era.
The cast chemistry is excellent and when everyone is firing on all cylinders at the same time, the atmosphere is electric. John David Washington is a whirlwind of energy and fast talking passion. He dances around the set motor-mouthing and whirl-winding his plans for the future and how he will achieve them, he does occasionally come off as teetering on overbearing, but he is brought down to size by the ever reliable Samuel L. Jackson, whose wisdom, wit and concern of the situation are palpable. Danielle Deadwyler was excellent in last year’s Till, and she delivers another emotionally charged performance here as well. Would certainly like to see her in a fully fledged horror picture at some point, as the paranoia and wide-eyed fear she covets at the ghostly visions that plague her fittingly petrified. Ray Fisher, Corey Hawkins and Michael Potts round out the cast and all have their standout moments.
The Piano Lesson is an interesting, well written, excitingly performed and unique take on some familiar themes. The cast are fantastic, Washington delivers in his debut behind the camera and how far they go with the unexpected genre implementations caught me by surprise. There is a sense of clashing tones at points, the stage to screen structure can become a little repetitive and the pacing does take a dip at the start of the third act. However, this is a solid Netflix viewing that should have released cinematically.
The Piano Lesson is streaming now on Netflix
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