Directed By Malcolm Washington; Screenplay By Virgil Williams & Malcolm Washington; Starring John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Danielle Deadwyler, and Corey Hawkins.
Based on August Wilson’s 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning stage play of the same name, The Piano Lesson is set in Pittsburgh during the aftermath of the Great Depression in 1936. The story follows the lives of the Charles family in the Doaker Charles (Samuel L. Jackson) household and an heirloom, the family piano, which is decorated with designs carved by an enslaved ancestor. His nephew (John David Washington) plans to build the family fortune by selling the piano. His niece (Danielle Deadwyler) will go to any length to keep it and preserve the family history. Only Doaker stands in-between, but even he can’t hold back the ghosts of the past.
This is the third feature film adaptation of an August Wilson play produced by Denzel Washington following 2016’s Fences and 2020’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. This one is supposed to be more cinematic than the previous two, where people complained about them for feeling more liked filmed stage plays as opposed to actual movies. The Piano Lesson actually has been adapted before as a 1995 Emmy nominated TV movie that kept some of the original Broadway cast intact. I've never seen it, so I can't really comment on how that compares to this. Interestingly enough, Denzel’s two sons have major involvement here, writer/director Malcolm Washington and actor John David Washington. Do the end results come across more as a family affair?
With Malcolm Washington at the helm, he proves that he wasn’t hired just because he’s Denzel’s son. His direction definitely gives the material the feel of a suspense thriller. Mike Gioulakis’ cinematography also succeeds in that regard. Alexandre Desplat’s haunting musical score absolutely adds to the tension. There’s several flashbacks that are used quite effectively. Although the editing by Leslie Jones (not the comedian) at times could’ve been tightened up a bit. Thankfully, the end climax is the most successful sequence in the whole film.
Four of the principal actors in this are reprising their roles from the most recent Broadway revival from 2022. Samuel L. Jackson as Doaker, John David Washington as his nephew, Boy Willie, Ray Fisher as Boy Willie’s friend, Lymon, and Michael Potts as Doaker’s brother, Wining Boy, all give very good performances. Everyone else here are newcomers to the material. Corey Hawkins has a great role as preacher Avery Brown. Although Danielle Deadwyler is the best in show here as Berniece, Boy Willie’s sister.
Of the August Wilson plays that have been brought to the big screen so far, The Piano Lesson does feel the most cinematic. The scenery has been opened up to escape the confines of a theatre stage. There’s some impressive crafts on display. It has a great cast chewing on Wilson’s distinct dialogue. I’m now even more curious to see how the rest of his cycle will fare moving forward. Seeing how these movies have been released every four years, every single one of his plays will probably be adapted by 2052. The Piano Lesson is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Rating: 3.5/5
Based on August Wilson’s 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning stage play of the same name, The Piano Lesson is set in Pittsburgh during the aftermath of the Great Depression in 1936. The story follows the lives of the Charles family in the Doaker Charles (Samuel L. Jackson) household and an heirloom, the family piano, which is decorated with designs carved by an enslaved ancestor. His nephew (John David Washington) plans to build the family fortune by selling the piano. His niece (Danielle Deadwyler) will go to any length to keep it and preserve the family history. Only Doaker stands in-between, but even he can’t hold back the ghosts of the past.
This is the third feature film adaptation of an August Wilson play produced by Denzel Washington following 2016’s Fences and 2020’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. This one is supposed to be more cinematic than the previous two, where people complained about them for feeling more liked filmed stage plays as opposed to actual movies. The Piano Lesson actually has been adapted before as a 1995 Emmy nominated TV movie that kept some of the original Broadway cast intact. I've never seen it, so I can't really comment on how that compares to this. Interestingly enough, Denzel’s two sons have major involvement here, writer/director Malcolm Washington and actor John David Washington. Do the end results come across more as a family affair?
With Malcolm Washington at the helm, he proves that he wasn’t hired just because he’s Denzel’s son. His direction definitely gives the material the feel of a suspense thriller. Mike Gioulakis’ cinematography also succeeds in that regard. Alexandre Desplat’s haunting musical score absolutely adds to the tension. There’s several flashbacks that are used quite effectively. Although the editing by Leslie Jones (not the comedian) at times could’ve been tightened up a bit. Thankfully, the end climax is the most successful sequence in the whole film.
Four of the principal actors in this are reprising their roles from the most recent Broadway revival from 2022. Samuel L. Jackson as Doaker, John David Washington as his nephew, Boy Willie, Ray Fisher as Boy Willie’s friend, Lymon, and Michael Potts as Doaker’s brother, Wining Boy, all give very good performances. Everyone else here are newcomers to the material. Corey Hawkins has a great role as preacher Avery Brown. Although Danielle Deadwyler is the best in show here as Berniece, Boy Willie’s sister.
Of the August Wilson plays that have been brought to the big screen so far, The Piano Lesson does feel the most cinematic. The scenery has been opened up to escape the confines of a theatre stage. There’s some impressive crafts on display. It has a great cast chewing on Wilson’s distinct dialogue. I’m now even more curious to see how the rest of his cycle will fare moving forward. Seeing how these movies have been released every four years, every single one of his plays will probably be adapted by 2052. The Piano Lesson is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Rating: 3.5/5