Review: The Piano Lesson
Blood Is A Chord That Resonates Through Time
INTRODUCTION
This is a quick review of the newly released film The Piano Lesson. Keep in mind this is but one of the many movies I watch every year, and that whatever initial grade I come up for this film could change for better or worse with time. To better keep up to date with both my thoughts on other movies and if my feelings on this film changed, follow me on Letterboxd.
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THE PLOT
Via Letterboxd: A brother and sister’s battle over a prized heirloom piano unleashes haunting truths about how the past is perceived - and who defines a family legacy.
QUICK REVIEW
Over the past eight years, Denzel Washington and family have made it their mission to bring August Wilson’s plays to the big screen. So far, if you ask me, their efforts have been remarkably successful. Both Fences (2016) and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020) were widely regarded as some of the most significant and impactful films of their respective years - and some of my own personal favorites from those years as well. Now, in 2024, they present The Piano Lesson, directed by Denzel’s son, Malcolm Washington, and starring his other son, John David Washington, in the lead role.
Many fans of August Wilson’s plays have told me The Piano Lesson is their least favorite of his works, so I was curious to see how it would translate as a major film adaptation. Having been a big fan of the last two adaptations of Wilson’s works, I approached this one cautiously optimistic; especially since it left the festival circuit with less buzz than its predecessors. By the time the credits rolled, I can confidently say I ended up being on the much higher end than most.
It did, however, take some time to fully process my thoughts. Initially, I rated it a solid B+ on Letterboxd, but as I reflected on its themes and storytelling, my appreciation for the film grew significantly. This mirrors some recent experiences I’ve had with A Real Pain and Nickel Boys, films that also seem to have required some time to sink in for me.
At its core, The Piano Lesson is about generational trauma and the lingering ghosts, both literal and metaphorical, that haunt families and communities. It weaves these themes into a compelling family drama centered on siblings clashing over the fate of a piano imbued with their family’s history. The story’s exploration of how the piano, the family’s legacy, and the struggles of their community impact each character individually was deeply engrossing to me.
I’ve always been drawn to films where characters engage in rich, dialogue-driven interactions, and this one was no different. The way flashbacks are incorporated when a character recounts their history added a theatrical and cinematic flair that felt unique to this adaptation, something you couldn’t quite experience in a stage play.
The ensemble cast is easily one of the year’s best. Danielle Deadwyler is the standout as Berniece, delivering an emotionally resonant performance. John David Washington impressed with a more serious turn, while Samuel L. Jackson brought gravitas to his supporting role. Ray Fisher was so transformative I didn’t even realize it was him until afterwards, and Corey Hawkins continues to shine with his stellar character work.
If I had to critique anything, it would be the presentation. While Malcolm Washington’s direction is strong, the film occasionally feels more like a straight-to-streamer production than a fully cinematic experience. That said, I had a similar impression of Pedro Almodóvar’s The Room Next Door, and that’s coming from a master filmmaker.
Overall, while I understand why some might find this a quieter, less dynamic work of Wilson’s, I deeply appreciated its storytelling and themes. With three stellar Wilson adaptations now earning A-tier reviews from me, I think it’s time I see more of his work on stage. For The Piano Lesson, I give it a soft but strong A-.
INITIAL GRADING
