AUGUST WILSON'S THE PIANO LESSON Reviews- Page 3

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/8/23 at 7:01pm

KevinKlawitter said: "Has Denzel announced the next installment ofThePittsburgh Cyclehe'll be producing? He seems to have a pretty good sense of what he wants- he announced the cast ofThe Piano Lessonduring the publicity tour ofMa Rainey's Black Bottom."

He hasn’t. But given that this one won’t be released until probably 2024, and Netflix is being thriftier now, I wouldn’t expect an announcement anytime soon. And obviously they’ll need big stars.

(Also worth noting that this PIANO LESSON on Bway was put together by Rudin before his downfall.)

Now that the Big Two will be done (Fences and Piano Lesson), I don’t know what to predict as the next one…Seven Guitars? Two Trains Running? Joe Turner?

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 3/8/23 at 7:09pm

Pashacar said: "Wow, must be nice. Just checked Malcom's IMDB and he's been "other crew" on a few films and directed one short.

That said, always excited for an August Wilson project, so hope it turns out."

I think Denzel is one of the greatest actors of his generation. I think his son John is immensely talented, having earned his fame/accolades by this point. I have no idea if Malcolm is talented/capable of directing this piece. Certainly has some artistic genes.

But the anger/hostility at some other "nepo babies" always seems muted when it comes to the Washington family even though John and now certainly Malcom are the poster children. They didnt come up through small roles in national tours or small films. John had a plum role on an HBO show for years before being handed the lead in a major Spike Lee joint (and he was wonderful!). Malcom seems to have been handed, out of nowhere, a major directorial debut. These are your nepo babies--not Maude Apatow in a six week run of an off bway show, or He Whose Name I Dare Not Speak who started out in the road company of Book of Mormon.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 4/13/23 at 1:16pm

Movie confirmed to be directed and co-written by Malcom Washington. John David Washington, Samuel L Jackson, Ray Fisher reprising Broadway roles. Danielle Deadwyler, Corey Hawkins, Michael Potts co-starring

[gibsons2]

Posted: 4/13/23 at 1:42pm

Amazing news! The Piano Lesson was one of the best, most exquisite productions I've seen on Broadway, ever. Looking forward to see the film.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 5/30/23 at 12:29pm

Erykah Badu joins the cast, will contribute musical performances to the film.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 5/30/23 at 12:37pm

Kinda gross that another one of Denzel's kids is now directing -- I guess he's paying for the movie?  Also as good as Danielle Deadwyler will be, it's also surprising that Danielle Brooks is the only major cast member not doing the film.

[troynow]

Posted: 5/30/23 at 2:06pm

Your comment is kind of gross.

I guess Jamie Lee Curtis does not deserve her Oscar because of her parents, right?

Get a life. 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 5/30/23 at 3:30pm

JSquared2 said: "Kinda gross that another one of Denzel's kids is now directing -- I guess he's paying for the movie? Also as good as Danielle Deadwyler will be, it's also surprising that Danielle Brooks is the only major cast member not doing the film."

Jesus, this comment is embarrassing. You should go back into hibernation since you clearly have no idea what’s going on.

Denzel announced back in 2015 that, in a deal granted by the Wilson estate, he is executive producing all ten of August Wilson’s Century Cycle plays. The first was Fences with Viola Davis. Danielle Brooks has other projects lined up that prevent her from being able to do the film adaptation. His son is a writer and director and is also co-adapting the screenplay. 

I’m sure you also think Liza Minnelli is a nepobaby too, right? 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 2/1/24 at 12:00pm

Netflix has announced that THE PIANO LESSON film will premiere in 2024 (release date to be announced, but I'd be surprised if it doesn't premiere someplace like TIFF in early September). Danielle Deadwyler, Corey Hawkins, and Erykah Badu join Broadway castmembers Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, and Michael Potts.

There's also SPELLBOUND, a new animated Alan Menken/Glenn Slater musical starring Rachel Zegler, Nathan Lane, Nicole Kidman, Javier Bardem, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, and Tituss Burgess. From the director of Shrek (Vicky Jenson) and produced by former Disney/Pixar honcho John Lasseter (whose workplace behavior has been much discussed).

https://deadline.com/2024/02/netflix-movie-dates-2024-1235810342/

Updated On: 2/1/24 at 12:00 PM

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 3/19/24 at 12:37pm

Can someone explain this to me? My only guess is that Netflix likely just paid a fee to the producers of the broadway revival that allowed it to “recoup”

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/19/24 at 1:17pm

That was my thought as well. Only reason this would be announced now would be due to some money coming in through the film rights. I believe they have already completed filming?

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 3/19/24 at 1:20pm

Call_me_jorge said: "Can someone explain this to me? My only guess is that Netflix likely just paid a fee to the producers of the broadway revival that allowed it to “recoup”"

It could be that, or a tax credit, OR the books were finally reconciled and it was too close to call before everything was closed out. It's an odd announcement, but its producer is very press-forward and wants to be something of a showman. When this happens late in the game on other shows, it's usually not announced.

[BdwyFan]

Posted: 3/19/24 at 1:20pm

Call_me_jorge said: "Can someone explain this to me? My only guess is that Netflix likely just paid a fee to the producers of the broadway revival that allowed it to “recoup”"

 

my guess is the musical theatre tax credit  

 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 8/19/24 at 4:14pm

 

First look via Vanity Fair

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 8/20/24 at 11:27am

Strange poster!

[Fordham2015]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 9:27am

Trailer: https://x.com/netflix/status/1826247420012904465

[Falsettolands]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 9:37am

Cool poster! I hate it 

[TaffyDavenport]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 11:22am

 

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 3:05pm

Barry Jenkins praises the film: "August Wilson posited on an astral plane. As he should."

[Pashacar]

Posted: 8/21/24 at 3:22pm

I didn't spot Michael Potts once in that trailer! And he's the actor I'm most excited to see in this.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 8/31/24 at 7:22pm

Following its premiere at Telluride, positive review from Deadline and mixed-positive from THR

Pretty much all of the Twitter reactions I've seen are positive, although they don't always agree on the specifics: many say it's the most cinematic of the August Wilson adaptations, others say it or the performances in it are too "stagy". Some say the supernatural elements work well, some prefer the family drama. One thing that is consistent, though, is the singling out of Danielle Deadwyler as the highlight.

There's also a nice Article in Indiewire talking to both Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington about the character of Boy Willie, what it meant to them, and how playing him in different mediums and times led to different performances.

[KevinKlawitter]

Posted: 9/1/24 at 6:16pm

C+ from Indiewire

8/10 from Next Best Picture

[MezzA101]

Posted: 9/5/24 at 9:40am

‘The Piano Lesson’ Review: The Washington Family Comes Together Around August Wilson’s Legacy-Themed Masterwork

Denzel Washington executive produces a powerful adaptation of a major American play, directed by one son (Malcolm) and starring another (John David).

 

https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/the-piano-lesson-review-1236125994