The Piano Lesson

It lands as more of a showcase of assembling the many talents on board rather than an adaptation shining a new light on an already treasured work.

An exquisite film rendition of an American stage classic, The Piano Lesson promises to strike a powerful chord within the soul.

Netflix’s adaptation faithfully renders this concern for the quotidian, albeit with a more stylish patina. Malcolm’s directorial choices diverge from his father’s old-school creative sensibilities; the pacing is faster, the music more dramatic.

And the movie's turn toward supernatural horror feels like an abrupt shift in tone, a too literal illustration of the film's haunting themes.

But so much of the film is like inside baseball for people who already have seen this story in its many other forms. Neither the performances nor August Wilson are done justice here.

A first-rate adaptation.

With impeccable period details, top-notch performances, and the text of one of the 20th century’s most lauded plays, The Piano Lesson represents one of Netflix’s stronger unsung late-2024 drops.

Malcolm Washington explores the repercussions of his traumatic past on the difficult present of his African American characters in his debut feature, an adaptation of a play by August Wilson.[Full review in Spanish]

Highly recommend this adaption of August Wilson’s play, highlighted by great performances from Washington, Fisher, and Deadwyler.

Somehow, by broadening Wilson's classic play with this lavish production design, director Malcolm Washington suffocates and muddles the source material's poetic subtleties.