The Piano Lesson, based on August Wilson’s renowned play of the same name, is one of the most highly anticipated movies of the fall season. With a great cast and poignant story, the movie is already getting tremendous reviews. Scheduled to arrive on Netflix in November, it’s likely to be more than another streaming drop. Expect it to be a major cultural event.
Here’s What The Piano Lesson Is About
Set in the aftermath of the Great Depression, The Piano Lesson tells the story of a family grappling with whether to sell a piano that holds significant historical value. Selling it would translate to financial gain. At the same time, the piano’s legacy seems too important to let go, as it bears the carvings of their enslaved ancestors’ struggles.
August Wilson’s work stands as a cornerstone of American theater, with his ten-play Pittsburgh Cycle considered his crowning achievement. Each play in the cycle examines a different decade of the African American experience, capturing the essence of Black Life in 20th-century America. Part of this series, The Piano Lesson is no exception. The play, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1990, is regarded as one of his most complex works.
The Piano Lesson wrestles with the legacy of slavery and what it means to inherit trauma, not just property. While the transition from stage to screen can be bumpy, the adaptation has not only the weight of Wilson’s legacy behind it but also a star-studded cast and skilled producers. In other words, the story has always been in excellent hands.
The Piano Lesson Adaptation Showcases Talent
Samuel L. Jackson stars in The Piano Lesson as Doaker Charles, a part he previously played on Broadway in 2022. You might know him as Marvel’s Nick Fury or from his roles in iconic films like Pulp Fiction or Jackie Brown. John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman, Tenet) and Danielle Deadwyler (Station Eleven) also star.
Rounding out the cast are Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, and Corey Hawkins. Grammy-winning singer and songwriter Erykah Badu makes a cameo. Behind the scenes, the film is produced by Denzel Washington, who has a long-standing commitment to bringing Wilson’s work to the screen.
Washington has previously produced Fences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, adaptations of two other plays from the Pittsburgh Cycle. Both were received with praise by critics and viewers alike. The strong production team and cast suggest that The Piano Lesson adaptation will remain faithful to Wilson’s original vision. Hopefully, the story will reach an even wider audience with its Netflix release.
Final Thoughts
The Piano Lesson will premiere in select theaters across the United States on November 8 and make its Netflix debut on November 22. Critics who saw it at film festivals earlier in the year praised it for its phenomenal performances and stunning cinematography. Right now, the movie has a 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that audiences should look forward to experiencing the narrative for themselves.
In a world that seems more divided than ever, an exploration of how we deal with the weight of our ancestors’ choices is likely to strike a chord. Wilson’s writing delves into the cost of moving forward and ponders on what must be sacrificed so we can do so. The Piano Lesson might have been written back in the ‘80s, but the themes it explores and the conflict at its center will always resonate. Add a marvelous cast into the mix, and you can expect a touching film. The kind that stays with you for a long time.
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