From my experience, I will say that the Washington family has the gift of pontification. They do it all so well in The Piano Lesson. Directed by Malcolm Washington, the son of Denzel Washington, who on his rise to fame. Along with John David Washington (Denzel’s other son), he continues to be an icon worthy of his father’s legacy in his movies. The Piano Lesson is a film where art and appreciation find their value to the deepest core. It is all centered on an heirloom piano and weaves emotions continuously in a cinematically enticing experience.

The film focuses on the Charles family.  The setting is a home owned by Doaker Charles (played by Samuel L. Jackson). In that home is an heirloom piano that is enriched with designs dating back to ancestors with its carvings. The story is based ona play adapted into a film. The conflict though, is between a brother and a sister, Boy Willie (played by John David Washington) and Berniece (played by Danielle Deadwyler). Boy Willie aspires to a brighter future, but only if he sells the piano.Berniece wants to keep the piano—it has much of her legacy engraved. Tensions boil over as the dynamic of family and the meaningfulness of the piano create one long boxing match that is relentless to find a sacred path for all involved with or without the piano.

The dynamics of a large family with many personalities ranging from Wining Boy (played by Michael Potts), Avery (played by Corey Hawkins), Boy Charles (played by Stephen James), and more, make for a lot to take in with The Piano Lesson. It is a fueled drama where the dramatics of seriousness and empathy tango for a passionate scenario—there may be some withdrawals without the piano. The engravings and their meanings are where the disagreements keep creating the flow of a family that falls apart, rejuvenates, and then cycles into the same pattern again,rapidly agreeing then disagreeing about the fate of the piano. 

The evolution of authenticity is surreal in The Piano Lesson. As more arguments and revelations unfold, eerie events begin to happen. In those moments the film fuels its audience to be curious too if there are spirits having expectations. There is the sensation of shifting to create a universe of unexpected tension rising for something unforgettable. The feelings for the piano are the beginning, but the deeper meaning of cultural tides may cause unforeseen consequences.

The direction is superb. The experience is relentless. This film is a theatrical journey—the setting of a time gone by loops in the importance of family at that time.  The presence of the piano is where the film stands tall for a fight to find the light of empathy. The Piano Lesson fuels characterizations and dynamics with a fulfilling atmosphere of serious considerations, of what happens when the feelings surrounding an object of purpose are not taken seriously. Where does the piano stand? Who is in the right? It will take many wrongs before finding the “right” one in The Piano Lesson. Three out of four stars.