Denzel Washington brings yet another play of August Wilson’s to cinematic life with The Piano Lesson and makes it a family affair, coincidentally family ties and bonds are a crucial part of the narrative too. Directed by Malcolm Washington who makes his debut here, The Piano Lesson also has John David Washington in one of the lead roles. Samuel L Jackson is another prominent face in the midst of actors who make their mark in this film that bends genres.
Being an adaptation of a play, much of the movie focuses on dialogues between characters and most of it takes place in the living room of a house and hence heavily relies upon the sheer talent of each of the actors who appear on screen, backed by a screenplay written by the director along with Virgil Williams. The film starts out as a family drama and teases the viewer with elements of horror and folklore.

Like with any film that explores the history of the African American people, here too the themes of oppression and struggle are central. Malcom Washington makes an impressive debut and translates Wilson’s vision and that of his father like a seasoned auteur, on to the screen. Music plays a crucial role too, O Berta was a treat.