The Piano Lesson is the story of one African-American family and their journey to reconcile their past, present and shape their future that centres around an unlikely family heirloom.
AKADi Magazine’s editor Kamo got to see the film and meet some of the cast and crew at a private screening arranged by We Are Parable - an organisation that gives audiences the opportunity to see Black cinema and TV. KAmo shares his views on the film and more.
The Piano Lesson is a showcase of the Washington family's talent. It is directed by Malcolm Washington, older brother John David Washington takes a lead role in the film, while sister Katia Washington serves as executive producer. Their father, the award-winning actor and filmmaker Denzel Washington, is the producer.
The cast also features the legendary Samuel L. Jackson, singer Erykah Badu, and Danielle Deadwyler, who plays a pivotal role as John David’s on-screen sister. Together, they form the heart of the story, portraying two siblings who are at odds over the past and the direction of the future.
For me, The Piano Lesson, an adaptation of August Wilson's play, explores the tension between preserving history and embracing progress. One sibling clings tightly to the past, represented by a family heirloom—a piano etched with their ancestors' history—while the other sees the piano as something to be sold to build a better future.
The film, set in the mid-1930s, deftly weaves themes of slavery, Jim Crow, folklore and the struggles and triumphs of Black life during that period. It forces us to ask: How much of our past should we hold on to? Does it keep us grounded, or does it sometimes prevent us from moving forward?
The sibling conflict revolves around this very question. One seeks to preserve the piano as a symbol of their heritage and the sacrifices of their ancestors, while the other views selling it as a necessary step toward progress.
Samuel L. Jackson delivers a powerful performance as Uncle Doaker Charles, the weary mediator between the two siblings. He was like a thin tired fragile thread that kept the family together.
John David’s portrayal of Boy Willie, who is in conflict with his on-screen sister Bernice (played by Danielle), is utterly compelling as is Danielle's.
Bernice appears sad, sombre, contemplative about what future awaits her and her daughter while Boy Willie remains optimistic at the prospect of getting his share of the ‘American Dream’.
Boy Willie was depicted as a man full of raw energy, evoking the spirit of a man determined to shape his own destiny. I felt that at times, particularly in the early part of the film, John David’s delivery even echoed the voice and presence of his father, Denzel.
I wanted to know if this was subconscious or intentional and after the Q&A discussion got my chance to ask John David directly.
He was surprised by my observation and said it was probably something he did unconsciously. But he did added: “I always try to honour my parents in my work,” he said.
The film also beautifully captures the complexity of interactions between Black people of that time—sombre and fraught when dealing with white people, yet brimming with joy, laughter, and camaraderie within their own community.
The story is not just about a piano, it’s about hidden family secrets, the weight of history, and the emotional attachment that ties Bernice to the instrument. The central question remains: Which sibling’s vision for the future will win out?
What also struck me was how the absence of John David’s beard transformed his persona. Typically, when I’ve seen him act, he has a beard. But in The Piano Lesson, his clean-shaven look, the camera close ups and the lighting all contributed to me feeling like I seeing a new actor perform for the first time.
His beautiful smile, that would win over the hardest of hearts, and his brimming confidence mirrored the optimism Big Willie imbued in his quest throughout the film to achieve the American Dream.
The most impactful part of the film, for me, was when the four men, (Michael Potts, Ray Fisher, John David Washington and Samuel L Jackson), bonded over a bottle of whisky and a stirring rendition of the song ‘Berta’.
A song that was both unfamiliar and familiar to me in that I associated it with songs sung on the plantation fields. But I subsequently learnt that it was a prison chain gang song from Mississippi State Penitentiary - better known as Parchman Farm - were incarcerated inmates were forced to work.
No longer enslaved or incarcerated, the song 'Bertha', for me took on a new meaning. The men's full-throated defiance, the stomping of the feet and the rebellion in their voices and in every fist slammed on to the table spoke of resistance and transported me into the film and firmly into that scene. It was a most powerful and unforgettable moment.
This film centres around family legacy, inheritance and the creation of generational wealth for future generations of the Charles'. But I felt that this story could easily be the story of countless African-American families keen to preserve their past, and create hope and prospects for their future generations.
Even the Washingtons embody this commitment to legacy building. The family dynasty is already carving a name and reputation for high-quality film-making which will no doubt benefit future generations of Washingtons, and create space for more Black storytelling and hopefully more opportunities for Black actors.
Thus ensuring that the control and power remains with them and (in the words of US journalist Roland. S. Martin), they become the business as well as the show.
The Piano Lesson is an absolute 'must watch'. It will be released in selected cinemas in the USA from 8 November and will be streamed on Netflix from 22 November. Don't miss out.
This article is an original piece written by KAmo of AKADi Magazine and cannot be reproduced without permission.
Insightful article, I look forward to watching this!
Ben
Piano lesson played back by KAmo, through the sophisticated medium lenses, bares the rich, colourful imaginable and captivating scenes of yesteryears. Bravo. by Eddie A.