The Piano Lesson (2024 film)
The Piano Lesson | |
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Directed by | Malcolm Washington |
Screenplay by |
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Based on | The Piano Lesson by August Wilson |
Produced by | |
Starring |
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Cinematography | Mike Gioulakis |
Edited by | Leslie Jones |
Music by | Alexandre Desplat |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Netflix |
Release dates |
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Running time | 125 minutes |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
The Piano Lesson is a 2024 American drama film directed by Malcolm Washington, who co-wrote the screenplay with Virgil Williams. It is an adaptation of the 1987 play by August Wilson. It stars Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skylar Aleece Smith, Danielle Deadwyler, and Corey Hawkins.
The Piano Lesson premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival on August 31, 2024, and it was released in select theaters in the United States on November 8, 2024, before streaming on Netflix on November 22.
Premise
[edit]Set in 1936 Pittsburgh during the Great Depression, The Piano Lesson follows the lives of the Charles family in the Doaker Charles household and an heirloom, the family piano, which is decorated with designs carved by an enslaved ancestor.
Cast
[edit]- Samuel L. Jackson as Doaker
- John David Washington as Boy Willie
- Isaiah Gunn as Young Boy Willie
- Danielle Deadwyler as Berniece
- Kyle D. Allen as Young Berniece
- Ray Fisher as Lymon
- Corey Hawkins as Avery
- Michael Potts as Wining Boy
- Tony Fox as Young Wining Boy
- Skylar Aleece Smith as Maretha
- Stephan James as Boy Charles
- Erykah Badu as Lucille
- Malik J. Ali as Willie Boy
- Charity Jordan as Mama Berniece
- Matrell Smith as Crawley
- Jerrika Hinton as Grace
- Gail Bean as Dolly
- Pauletta Washington as Mama Ola
- Olivia Washington as Young Mama Ola
- Jay Peterson as James Sutter
- David Atkinson as Robert Sutter
- Melanie Jeffcoat as Miss Ophelia
Production
[edit]In September 2015, Denzel Washington announced that he would produce film adaptations of all of August Wilson's plays from the Pittsburgh Cycle series. Fences and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom were released in 2016 and 2020 respectively.
It was announced in April 2023 that Malcolm Washington would make his feature directorial and screenwriting debut with the film, an adaptation of The Piano Lesson, with his brother John David Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts, and Corey Hawkins starring.[1] John David Washington, Jackson, Fisher and Potts reprise their roles from the 2022 stage production of the play.[2] Washington's father, Denzel, is producing the film with Todd Black. In May, singer Erykah Badu was announced to be making a cameo appearance in the film.[3] Gail Bean, Jerrika Hinton, Stephan James, Malik J. Ali, Jay Peterson and Matrell Smith rounded out the cast in June 2023.[4]
Filming began in Atlanta in April 2023.[5] The Pittsburgh Film Office expressed disappointment that the production would not be filming in the city like previous Wilson adaptations.[6]
Release
[edit]The film's world premiere took place at the Telluride Film Festival, prior to its international premiere as a special presentation at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.[7][8]
The Piano Lesson was released in select theaters in the United States on November 8, 2024, before streaming on Netflix on November 22.[9][10]
Reception
[edit]Critical response
[edit]On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 89% of 115 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The website's consensus reads: "A Southern Gothic played at a ferocious key, The Piano Lesson brings August Wilson's words to vivid life with an outstanding ensemble."[11] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 69 out of 100, based on 38 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[12]
Accolades
[edit]Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hamptons International Film Festival | October 5, 2024 | Breakthrough Director Award | Malcolm Washington | Honored | [13] |
Mill Valley Film Festival | October 5, 2024 | MVFF Acting Award | Danielle Deadwyler | Won | [14] |
Middleburg Film Festival | October 20, 2024 | Breakthrough Actor Award | Honored | [15] | |
Newport Beach Film Festival | October 20, 2024 | Outstanding Performance Female | Won | [16] | |
Best U.S. Narrative | Malcolm Washington | Won | |||
SCAD Savannah Film Festival | October 26, 2024 | Inaugural Ensemble Award | The cast of The Piano Lesson[a] | Honored | [17] |
Montclair Film Festival | October 27, 2024 | Performance Award | John David Washington | Honored | [18] |
Breakthrough Director Award | Malcolm Washington | Honored | |||
Chicago International Film Festival | October 27, 2024 | Breakthrough Award | Honored | [19] | |
Spotlight Award | John David Washington | Honored | |||
Denver Film Festival | November 1, 2024 | Excellence in Writing Award | Malcolm Washington and Virgil Williams | Honored | [20] |
Elle's Women in Hollywood Celebration | November 19, 2024 | The Witness | Danielle Deadwyler | Honored | [21] |
Gotham Awards | December 2, 2024 | Ensemble Tribute | The cast of The Piano Lesson[a] | Honored | [22] |
Outstanding Supporting Performance | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated | [23] | ||
Astra Film Awards | December 8, 2024 | Best First Feature | Malcolm Washington | Nominated | [24] |
Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated | |||
Boston Society of Film Critics | December 8, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Won | [25] | |
Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association | December 8, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Won | [26] | |
Celebration of Cinema and Television | December 9, 2024 | Actor Award – Film | John David Washington | Won | [27] |
San Diego Film Critics Society | December 9, 2024 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Malcolm Washington and Virgil Williams | Nominated | [28] |
Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated | |||
SFFILM Awards | December 9, 2024 | George Gund III Award for Virtuosity | Malcolm Washington | Honored | [29] |
Chicago Film Critics Association | December 12, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated | [30] |
St. Louis Film Critics Association | December 15, 2024 | Best First Feature Film | Malcolm Washington | Runner-up | [31] |
Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated | [32] | ||
Indiana Film Journalists Association | December 16, 2024 | Best Adapted Screenplay | Malcolm Washington and Virgil Williams | Nominated | [33] |
Breakthrough of the Year | Malcolm Washington | Nominated | |||
Seattle Film Critics Society | December 16, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated | [34] |
New York Film Critics Online | December 16, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Runner-up | [35] | |
Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association | December 18, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | 4th place | [36] | |
Pandora International Film Critics Awards | December 18, 2024 | Actress Support | Nominated | [37] | |
Filmmaking Breakthrough | Malcolm Washington | Nominated | |||
Black Film Critics Circle | December 19, 2024 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Won | [38] |
Rising Star/Best Newcomer | Malcolm Washington | Won | |||
Online Association of Female Film Critics | December 23, 2024 | Best Acting Ensemble | The cast of The Piano Lesson[a] | Nominated | [39] |
Best Supporting Female | Danielle Deadwyler | Nominated | |||
Breakthrough Filmmaker | Malcolm Washington | Nominated | |||
Alliance Of Women Film Journalist EDA Award | January 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Pending | [40] |
North Carolina Film Critics Association | January 3, 2025 | Directorial Debut | Malcolm Washington | Pending | [41] |
Palm Springs International Film Festival | January 3, 2025 | Directors to Watch | Won | [42] | |
AARP Movies for Grownups Awards | January 11, 2025 | Best Intergenerational Movie | The Piano Lesson | Pending | [43] |
Utah Film Critics Association | January 11, 2025 | Best Supporting Performance, Female | Danielle Deadwyler | Pending | [44] |
Critics' Choice Movie Awards | January 12, 2025 | Best Supporting Actress | Pending | [45] | |
Satellite Awards | January 26, 2025 | Best Actress in a Supporting Role | Pending | [46] | |
London Film Critics' Circle Awards | February 2, 2025 | Supporting Actress of the Year | Pending | [47] | |
Black Reel Awards | February 10, 2025 | Outstanding Breakthrough Performance | Ray Fisher | Pending | [48] |
Outstanding Costume Design | Francine Jamison-Tanchuck | Pending | |||
Outstanding Director | Malcolm Washington | Pending | |||
Outstanding Emerging Director | Pending | ||||
Outstanding Ensemble | Lindsay Graham and Mary Vernieu | Pending | |||
Outstanding Film | Todd Black and Denzel Washington | Pending | |||
Outstanding First Screenplay | Malcolm Washington | Pending | |||
Outstanding Lead Performance | John David Washington | Pending | |||
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup | Malcolm Washington | Pending | |||
Outstanding Production Design | David J. Bomba, Chardae Adams and Patrick Cassidy | Pending | |||
Outstanding Screenplay | Malcolm Washington and Virgil Williams | Pending | |||
Outstanding Supporting Performance | Danielle Deadwyler | Pending | |||
African-American Film Critics Association | February 19, 2025 | Best Ensemble | The cast of The Piano Lesson[a] | Won | [49] |
Best Supporting Actress | Danielle Deadwyler | Won | |||
Breakout Performance Award | Ray Fisher | Honored | [50] | ||
Emerging Director Award | Malcolm Washington | Honored | |||
Top 10 Films of the Year | The Piano Lesson | 3rd place | [49] | ||
Film Independent Spirit Awards | February 22, 2025 | Best First Feature | Todd Black, Denzel Washington and Malcolm Washington | Pending | [51] |
Best Supporting Performance | Danielle Deadwyler | Pending |
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Grobar, Matt (April 13, 2023). "Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler & More Set For Netflix's The Piano Lesson; Denzel Washington, Todd Black Producing". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ White, Abbey (April 27, 2022). "Ray Fisher Joins Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington in Cast of Broadway's 'The Piano Lesson'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (May 30, 2023). "The Piano Lesson: Erykah Badu Latest To Board Netflix's August Wilson Adaptation". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (June 1, 2023). "Netflix's 'The Piano Lesson' Adds Gail Bean, Jerrika Hinton, Stephan James & Others". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 26, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- ^ Carey, Adam (April 14, 2023). "Rain delays filming of 'The Piano Lesson' in the Between the Rivers District". Rome News-Tribune. Archived from the original on May 16, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- ^ Axelrod, Joshua (April 13, 2023). "Netflix's The Piano Lesson adaptation breaks cycle by not filming in Pittsburgh". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on April 20, 2023. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- ^ Hammond, Pete (August 29, 2024). "Telluride Film Festival Lineup Includes 'Saturday Night', 'The Piano Lesson', 'Conclave' & 'Nickel Boys' World Premieres". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 29, 2024. Retrieved August 29, 2024.
- ^ Kay, Jeremy (July 22, 2024). "Toronto film festival adds Angelina Jolie, Mike Leigh, Edward Burns, David Mackenzie titles". Screen Daily. Archived from the original on August 2, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ Netflix [@netflix] (August 20, 2024). "The Piano Lesson directed by Malcolm Washington. Trailer tomorrow. Starring Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, Erykah Badu, Skyler Aleece Smith, Danielle Deadwyler, and Corey Hawkins" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Asatryan, Tigran (August 20, 2024). "'The Piano Lesson' Netflix Movie: Release Date & Everything We Know So Far". What's on Netflix. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
- ^ "The Piano Lesson". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
- ^ "The Piano Lesson". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- ^ McCracken, Kristin (August 28, 2024). "HIFF 2024: Conversations + Honorees". Hamptons International Film Festival. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- ^ Jackson, Angelique (September 24, 2024). "'The Piano Lesson' Star Danielle Deadwyler to Receive Mill Valley Film Fest Award (EXCLUSIVE)".
- ^ Feinberg, Scott (September 26, 2024). "Middleburg Film Fest: 'Blitz' to Open, 'Nickel Boys' to Close, 'Sing Sing' Stars Among Honorees". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- ^ Stephan, Katcy (October 31, 2024). "'The Piano Lesson' and 'The Last Journey' Land Top Audience Prizes at Newport Beach Film Festival (EXCLUSIVE)".
- ^ Tangcay, Jazz (September 27, 2024). "'The Piano Lesson' Cast to Receive Inaugural Ensemble Award at SCAD Savannah Film Festival)".
- ^ "The Montclair Film Festival Announces 2024 Opening, Closing, Centerpiece, Honors, & Creator Spotlight". Montclair Film. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
- ^ Roche, Barbara (September 24, 2024). "60th Chicago International Film Festival full lineup and schedule". Reel Chicago News. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
- ^ Jones, Marcus (October 17, 2024). "Joan Chen, 'Saturday Night' Stars, and More Join Lineup of Denver Film Festival 2024 Award Winners". IndieWire. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
- ^ "Women in Hollywood". Elle. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
Ukiomogbe, Juliana (November 14, 2024). "History Is Speaking Through Danielle Deadwyler". Elle. Retrieved November 14, 2024. - ^ Feinberg, Scott (September 18, 2024). "Gotham Awards: The Piano Lesson Cast Set for Ensemble Tribute (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
- ^ Goldsmith, Jill (October 29, 2024). "Gotham Awards Nominations: 'Anora' Leads Pack, 'Challengers' & 'Nickel Boys' Among Group Up For Best Feature". Deadline. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
- ^ Pond, Steve (November 25, 2024). "'Wicked' Leads Nominations for Astra Film Awards". TheWrap.com. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 8, 2024). "The 2024 Boston Society Of Film Critics (BSFC) Winners". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 8, 2024). "The 2024 Washington DC Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) Winners". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
- ^ "The Critics Choice Association Announces Full Slate of Honorees for the 7th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema and Television – Critics Choice Awards". November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 6, 2024). "The 2024 San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) Nominations". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
- ^ "SFFILM Awards Night to Honor Denis Villeneuve, Demi Moore, Malcolm Washington, and Jason Reitman". SFFILM. November 14, 2024. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 10, 2024). "The 2024 Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) Nominations". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 15, 2024). "The 2024 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Winners". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 8, 2024). "The 2024 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Nominations". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 15, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 10, 2024). "The 2024 Indiana Film Journalists Association (IFJA) Nominations". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 10, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Seattle Film Critics Society Nominations: 'The Brutalist,' 'Dune: Part Two,' 'Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga'". AwardsWatch. December 6, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 16, 2024). "The 2024 New York Film Critics Online (NYFCO) Winners". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 18, 2024). "The 2024 Dallas Fort-Worth Film Critics Association (DFWFCA) Winners". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
- ^ Write, Robin (December 11, 2024). "'The Substance' and 'Nosferatu' Lead the Way with the 6th Pandora International Film Critics Awards Nominations". Filmotomy. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 12, 2024). "The 2024 Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) Winners". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 20, 2024). "The 2024 Online Association Of Female Film Critics (OAFFC) Nominations". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 20, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 12, 2024). "The 2024 Alliance Of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) EDA Award Nominations". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 12, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 21, 2024). "The 2024 North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA) Nominations". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- ^ Gilchrist, Todd (November 19, 2024). "'The Substance,' 'The Piano Lesson,' 'Babygirl' Filmmakers Selected for Variety's 2025 Directors to Watch". Variety. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
- ^ Lewis, Hilary (November 20, 2024). "Movies for Grownups Awards: 'Conclave' Leads With 6 Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 21, 2024). "The 2024 Utah Film Critics Association (UFCA) Nominations". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (December 12, 2024). "Critics Choice Awards Nominations: 'Conclave' and 'Wicked' Lead With 11 Nods Each".
- ^ Neglia, Matt (December 16, 2024). "The 2024 Satellite Award (IPA) Nominations". NextBestPicture. Retrieved December 16, 2024.
- ^ Ford, Lily (December 19, 2024). "'The Brutalist', 'Anora' Set the Pace With 7 London Critics' Circle Film Awards Noms Each". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ Pederson, Erik (December 19, 2024). "'Nickel Boys' Leads 2025 Black Reel Awards Nominations; 'Piano Lesson' Close Second". Deadline. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Hipes, Patrick (December 13, 2024). "African American Film Critics Vote 'Nickel Boys' Its Best Picture Of 2024". Deadline. Retrieved December 13, 2024.
- ^ "African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Honorees: 'Nickel Boys,' 'The Piano Lesson' Filmmakers and Casts and More". AwardsWatch. November 27, 2024. Retrieved November 30, 2024.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Alex (December 4, 2024). "Film Independent Spirit Awards 40th Edition Best Feature Nominees Include 'Anora', 'I Saw The TV Glow', 'Nickel Boys', 'Sing Sing' & 'The Substance'". Deadline. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
External links
[edit]- 2024 films
- 2024 directorial debut films
- 2024 drama films
- 2024 independent films
- 2020s American films
- 2020s English-language films
- African-American drama films
- American films based on plays
- American independent films
- Films about pianos and pianists
- Films produced by Denzel Washington
- Films scored by Alexandre Desplat
- Films set in 1936
- Films set in Pittsburgh
- Films shot in Atlanta
- Great Depression films
- Netflix original films