August Wilson, the late acclaimed American playwright, chronicled some of the best stories about African American experiences using deeply humanized and comprehensive storytelling. Some of his notable theater works include Fences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, both of which have been adapted into film. Denzel Washington, who produced both features, returns for a third Wilson adaptation with The Piano Lesson,
which sees a Black family adapt to life in 1936 Pittsburgh following the Great Depression. Directed by Malcolm Washington and featuring a star-studded, talented cast, The Piano Lesson captures the importance of honoring our ancestors through legacy.
The Charles family has had their share of trauma. The film opens with a flashback to the young Charles brothers stealing a piano from the home of Mr. Sutter during 4th of July fireworks. This piano has been in their family for generations, and on it contains the faces of the many relatives who had to endure the tribulations of slavery. After stealing the piano, one of the Charles brothers gets left behind, much to the sinister liking of Sutter. His children Berniece (Danielle Deadwyler) and Boy Willie (John David Washington) must deal with the loss of their father.
A family affair both in front of and behind the camera, Washington’s soulful adaptation and directorial debut is a therapeutic discovery of trauma relief through memory and legacy. Boy Willie and Lymon (Ray Fisher) return to the north to visit Berniece and Doaker (Samuel L. Jackson). With one thing on his mind — buying the land of the deceased Mr. Sutter (the same man who once enslaved his family) — Boy Willie intends on selling watermelons and the family piano to make enough money to do so. The only thing standing in his way was Berniece.
Washington’s The Piano Lesson Adaptation Is Stylish, Soulful & Healing
Berniece has her own set of problems. In between taking care of her daughter Maretha (Skylar Aleece Smith), she’s still mourning the loss of her late husband Crawley (Matrell Smith). Her brother’s abrupt appearance to take away what connects them to their ancestors only makes matters worse. It’s also when Washington and Virgil Williams’ screenplay soars into an empathetic examination of familial trauma and its outcome. Berniece and Boy Willie, at opposing ends about what to do about the piano, also have different perspectives on their parents’ memories. When the script explores these opposing viewpoints, it’s at its best.
Incredibly nuanced and passionate, Deadwyler as Berniece is a stunning performance worthy of the highest accolades this awards season.
With such an intricate story as The Piano Lesson, it would be all too easy to render this a restricted adaptation of the stage play. As a director, Washington plays his cards right. Balancing the emotional crescendos of its script with the paranormal features was not easy. Yet, the first-time feature director does so with style, soul, and empathy, earning every ounce of its cinematic excellence and avoiding the confinements of stage play restraints. Even when the story reaches the paranormal segments, Washington grounds his feature with the realism of Black trauma, offering us a chance for vicarious healing.
Danielle Deadwyler Gives An Oscar-Worthy Performance In The Piano Lesson
Of course, many of The Piano Lesson’s successes would not have been possible without the spectacular ensemble cast. John David Washington is in his element, navigating the emotional ups and downs of his relationship with his sister while also exploring his desire to live out his father’s legacy. This is Danielle Deadwyler’s show, though. Incredibly nuanced and passionate, Deadwyler as Berniece is a stunning performance worthy of the highest accolades this awards season. Truthfully, the film deserves an award for best ensemble cast due to the soulfully rich experience we have while watching this Netflix drama.
A strong and confident feature debut by Malcolm Washington, The Piano Lesson is a heartfelt journey about reexamining how we honor our loved ones. The director takes a cinematic approach to tackle August Wilson’s prominent stage play in a way that leaves a lasting impression. With a stunning supporting performance from Deadwyler, this cast should surely be among the chatter for awards. And thanks to excellent screenwriting choices to examine the importance of family legacy, you can expect to be both fully entertained and emotionally captivated for its entire runtime.
The Piano Lesson premiered at the 2024 Toronto Film Festival. The film is 127 minutes long and rated PG-13 for strong language, violent content, some suggestive references and smoking.