johnmichael-2
This is a TV film based off a play. It should have stayed a play, because it just plain isn't good enough to be a movie. It's a very hokey sort of piece, mostly because of the bad acting and the weak ending.Hmmm, what else can I say about this film in order to fill up the required minimum? I don't really know. It's a mundane sort of thing that your teacher makes you watch in theater class because (s)he can't show the really good stuff (or because (s)he has really tame tastes in what is considered engaging drama).I'll admit, this movie is socially significant, and August Wilson did a fine job with the original storyline. But this made-for-TV thing is just verbatim crap.Final grade: 4/10
rday-9
Anyone who doesn't "understand" this movie probably doesn't understand African Americans. It's a beautiful, poignant piece about a family and an heirloom piano. I don't like everything August Wilson has done but this one is a gem. The interaction between the characters is top notch. Alfre Woodward is in her element. For those who don't care for Charles Dutton, I know what they mean, but that's the way he acts -- in everything. It's much more effective on the stage than on the screen. As another reviewer has suggested, I also identify with every character. I have uncles just like these men. It's nice to see a movie that really touches you where you live and come from.
Wolf-121
This movie is a weird mix of a ghost story and a drama. The story is in the beginning vague and when you continue watching it, it becomes clearer and clearer, but it does not suck you into the story and make you want to see how it ends, maybe because the director made it more dramatic then scary.I do not remember any background music in the movie, which makes it more special. The music is coming from the actors themselves, which was amazing to me and I must say to the actors: well done!
Mike (sutcal)
I must confess I always have difficulty with some of the made for TV movies that I get to watch on my pay tv channels here in Australia.The Piano lesson is once such movie.The story line seems to have no real purpose other than a sibling squabble over a family piano. And I am not sure as to what the "supernatural" element to the movie is supposed to do in relation to enhancing the story. Without the absurdity of this, it may have passed as an acceptable "Afro american" period movie.I am not a big Charles Dutton fan and I feel there is an element of overacting at times with his character who I dislike more and more as the movie goes on.For me a 4/10 and that was being kind
AD
