Over the past few years, playwright August Wilson’s work has inspired some amazing films. In 2016, Fences was released, directed by Denzel Washington.
It was nominated for Best Picture and won Viola Davis a well-deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
In 2020, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom won two Oscars and earned Chadwick Boseman a posthumous nomination for his final performance.
Now, the latest addition to this series of Wilson adaptations is The Piano Lesson, produced by Denzel Washington and directed by his son, Malcolm Washington.
This film also stars Denzel’s other son, John David Washington. While The Piano Lesson may not be as strong as the previous two adaptations, it is still a solid presentation of Wilson’s work, telling a compelling story that holds the audience’s attention.
What Is ‘The Piano Lesson’ About?
The Piano Lesson centers around Boy Willie Charles (John David Washington), who arrives in 1936 Philadelphia with his friend Lymon (Ray Fisher) to visit his sister Berniece (Danielle Deadwyler) and his uncle Doaker (Samuel L. Jackson). Willie and Lymon have come with a truckload of watermelons to sell.
However, he needs the rest of the money from selling the family’s piano, a cherished heirloom in Berniece’s possession, which is decorated with carvings of their enslaved ancestors.
To Boy Willie, selling the piano means a chance to escape his family’s hardships and reclaim the land his ancestors once worked. He sees it as a way to move forward and leave behind a painful history.
On the other hand, Berniece views the piano as a symbol of their family’s legacy, one she refuses to part with, despite Boy Willie’s repeated insistence.
As Boy Willie tries to sell the piano to achieve his goal, it becomes clear that the past is not so easily forgotten, and the spirits of their ancestors seem to haunt them, reminding the family of the piano’s significance.
Malcolm Washington’s Approach to The Piano Lesson
In his first feature film, Malcolm Washington does a commendable job of bringing this stage play to life on screen. Most of the story takes place in Doaker and Berniece’s house, but Washington skillfully makes the setting feel larger than just one room.
Still from The Piano Lesson (Credit: Netflix)
We see Boy Willie in the fields he hopes to own, Willie and Lymon enjoying themselves at a nightclub, and the ghosts that haunt the characters create an eerie atmosphere. This haunting effect would be difficult to replicate on stage.
While Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was confined to one location, Malcolm Washington takes inspiration from Denzel’s Fences, finding ways to expand the world of the play while staying true to the original material. It may not be a dramatic change, but it adds a sense of scale to the story.
That said, The Piano Lesson still feels more like a stage production than the other Wilson adaptations.
However, in the film’s final act, this confined setting becomes an asset, as the tension builds, turning the small house into a claustrophobic and unnerving space.
By keeping the characters close together, the film creates a nightmarish atmosphere that only cinema could achieve.
Standout Performances Upgrade The Piano Lesson
Much of the cast of The Piano Lesson comes from the 2022 Broadway revival, which won the Tony Award for Outstanding Revival of a Play.
John David Washington delivers a strong performance, though his portrayal at times feels more suited to the stage, especially when he passionately argues about selling the piano.
Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, and Michael Potts, who plays Wining Boy Charles, adapt their performances for the screen more effectively. Fisher, in particular, makes his quiet character stand out as he finally reveals his desires in the film’s third act.
However, it is Danielle Deadwyler who truly shines in The Piano Lesson. Unlike the other major actors in the film, Deadwyler did not perform her role on stage, yet she brings a commanding presence to her portrayal of Berniece. Her intensity, grounded in love and determination, dominates each scene.
As seen in her underrated performance in 2022’s Till, Deadwyler has a remarkable ability to convey power through her voice and expression.
In the final act, when the story takes a darker turn, Deadwyler seamlessly shifts into this horror-like tone, showing once again that she is a remarkable talent deserving of greater recognition.
Among the recent Wilson adaptations, The Piano Lesson may struggle the most to fully break away from its stage roots.
Still from The Piano Lesson (Credit: Netflix)
However, Malcolm Washington proves himself as a capable director, expanding the story while respecting the original material. The cast, particularly Deadwyler, brings life to Wilson’s words, delivering performances that capture the play’s emotional depth.
Despite its challenges, the film offers a unique perspective on family, heritage, and the haunting effects of history. The way it shows the relationship between the characters provides a rich viewing experience.
The Piano Lesson stands out as a significant and thought-provoking addition to the growing list of films based on August Wilson’s plays.
War has officially started between Adar (Sam Hazeldine) and his Orcs against Sauron (Charlie Vickers) in the latest episode, “Where Is He?,” of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2.
Adar begins his attack on Eregion. Everyone, including Ar-Pharazôn (Trystan Gravelle) with his palantír visions and Elrond’s (Robert Aramayo) forces, is heading toward Sauron. The tension is increasing, making each character’s moves more unpredictable as the stakes rise.
One surprising element in this episode is the tentative alliance between Adar and Galadriel (Morfydd Clark). Adar holds Galadriel prisoner but treats her with mercy. He believes that with Galadriel’s help, he can end Sauron once and for all.
Adar is desperate to save his “children,” the Orcs, which pushes him to find common ground with Galadriel. However, his misunderstanding of her character and fear of Sauron lead him straight into Sauron’s trap, setting up an exciting climax for Season 2 of The Rings of Power in the last two episodes.
Adar’s Plan to Use Galadriel’s Elven Ring
While neither character fully trusts the other, Adar starts this truce because he believes Galadriel is the key to defeating Sauron. He plans to use Galadriel’s elven ring, Nenya, along with Morgoth’s crown to finally defeat Sauron and drive him from Middle-earth.
In the Season 2 premiere, Adar stabbed Sauron with Morgoth’s crown, but Sauron’s spirit survived, transforming into the black goo that became Halbrand.
This aspect of the story shows why simply stabbing a Maiar like Sauron does not kill him, adding depth to the lore.
Adar thinks that combining Elvish and Uruk forces will be enough to destroy both Sauron’s spirit and the city of Eregion. Galadriel tells Adar about Elrond’s army movements and location on Nenya.
They do not fully trust each other, but this highlights Adar’s willingness to do anything to eliminate Sauron. He views Galadriel as essential for later, indicating that he believes the combination of Nenya and Galadriel will be crucial when facing Sauron.
Adar Believes Galadriel Shares His Hatred for Sauron
Adar’s motivation for forming this relationship with Galadriel goes beyond the power she possesses. He sees her inner character as similar to his, making her the perfect ally. Adar believes that Galadriel hates Sauron as much as he does because they have both suffered from his manipulation.
Still from Rings of Power (Credit: Prime Video)
Adar recounts how Sauron fed him wine on the mountain, possibly at the time of the Orcs’ creation. Galadriel’s failure to see Sauron’s lies connects both characters, making them willing to do anything to combat him.
By the end of this episode, it becomes clear that Galadriel has grown from her blindness in Season 1 of The Rings of Power. Her possession of Nenya may give her a clearer perspective, meaning her hatred does not cloud her judgment as it does for Adar.
Just like the Elven Rings’ effect on Lindon’s tree, the light reveals the darkness. Galadriel’s motives differ from Adar’s; her hatred for Sauron is about justice and revenge for her brother and other Elves who died in battles against Sauron and Morgoth. In contrast, Adar’s feelings are rooted in fear.
Adar’s Fear of Sauron Is Revealed
While Adar’s hatred for Sauron is significant, his fear of him is evident. We see his Orc soldier, Glüg (Robert Strange), hesitate to give him the horn to call the Orcs to war. Adar’s worried expression as they begin their siege shows his desperation.
This reveals a new side to the Orcs, especially compared to their past leaders, Gothmog (Lawrence Makoare) and the Witch King of Angmar (Makoare). Adar acts for his “children” to find them a safe place, but even fathers can feel fear.
This complexity makes Adar a compelling character, portrayed by Sam Hazeldine and Joseph Mawle. He is not just a typical villain aiming for world domination, like Sauron.
Instead, his somewhat sympathetic motivations make him an antagonist to Galadriel but a hero in his own story. This complexity engages the audience and makes the battle between Eregion’s defenders and Adar’s Orcs more intriguing.
The scene where Adar and Galadriel discuss Sauron’s manipulation is terrifying and increases our fear of Sauron. Normally, simply telling about a character would not impact the audience. However, due to the chaos in Eregion with Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards), we believe this description and feel horrified.
When we remember Adar’s story about Sauron giving him wine, we understand how Sauron twisted Adar’s mind, making him almost addicted to Sauron’s presence. This shows how Sauron’s manipulation breaks people, providing a clear and powerful description of that experience.
Conclusion: The Tenuous Alliance
Galadriel and Adar’s alliance may surprise viewers, but the practical reasons for their collaboration make sense. However, Adar miscalculates by misunderstanding Sauron’s plan and not trusting Galadriel’s instincts. His desperation to destroy Sauron reveals his deep fear of The Deceiver.
With the siege starting, it seems only a matter of time before Adar, Sauron, and Galadriel confront each other again. It will be fascinating to see how this fragile alliance performs when facing Sauron’s power and ability to manipulate both sides.
Still from Rings of Power (Credit: Prime Video)
As the final episodes approach, viewers can expect intense confrontations and unexpected twists. The fates of these characters hang in the balance, and the stakes are higher than ever. Fans of The Rings of Power eagerly await the next chapter in this epic saga, filled with drama and conflict.
Each character’s journey adds depth to the story, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats. The resolution of their alliances and the battle against Sauron will shape the future of Middle-earth.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is available to stream on Prime Video, with new Season 2 episodes premiering Thursdays.
