“The Piano Tuner” is the feature film debut of Canadian Daniel Roher, who previously directed only documentaries. The film opens in theaters this week and is perfectly cast with Dustin Hoffman and newcomer Leo Woodall.
The plot follows Niki, a former piano prodigy, and Harry, a jazz insider, who work as a duo tuning pianos across Manhattan. When Harry suffers a heart attack and hospital costs skyrocket, Niki is hired by a burglary gang – his highly sensitive hearing enables him to crack even the most modern safes.
The film is praised for its outstanding acting, especially by lead actor Leo Woodall, as well as for the immersive sound design by Johnnie Burn. Burn had previously set standards with “The Zone of Interest.”
Critics see “The Piano Tuner” as a multi-layered tragicomedy that begins as a charming character study and develops into a thriller with unexpected twists. However, the film lacks the courage for the full consequence of a jazz improvisation – some parts are predictable and contrived.
Roher, who won an Oscar in 2023 for “Navalny,” processes his own experiences with depression and creative block in his feature film debut. The film is a kind of self-therapy that deals with how to find oneself again after a crisis.
Source: www.ndr.de
