Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts, Ray Fisher, Corey Hawkins, Erykah Badu, Skylar Smith
Genre: Drama, Music
Director: Malcolm Washington
Streaming on Netflix: 22nd November 2024
Malcolm Washington steps into the spotlight with his feature directorial debut, tackling the challenge of bringing one of August Wilson’s most celebrated plays to the big screen. Adapting a work as iconic as Wilson’s 1987 Pulitzer Prize-winning play is no small undertaking. It requires striking a delicate balance: staying too loyal to the original text, and the film risks feeling confined and overly stage-like, straying too far, and the essence that made the play resonate could be lost.
Washington’s approach lands in an intriguing middle ground. While the film unmistakably bears the marks of its stage origins, he demonstrates a confident grasp of cinematic language, transforming the material in ways that extend beyond the limitations of the theatre. His adaptation thoughtfully bridges the gap between the intimacy of the stage and the expansive possibilities of film, capturing the play’s spirit while embracing the opportunities the screen offers.
The film is a strikingly crafted work, brought to life by a stellar ensemble cast that reads like a roll call of actors long overdue for Oscar recognition. Set in 1936, the story follows the fast-talking and ambitious Boy Willie (John David Washington), who journeys from Mississippi to Pittsburgh alongside his well-meaning but naïve friend Lymon (Ray Fisher). The two arrive with a truckload of watermelons, intending to sell the fruit and, more importantly, persuade Boy Willie’s sister, Berniece (Danielle Deadwyler), to part with a treasured family heirloom—an intricately carved piano. Boy Willie hopes the combined proceeds will be enough to purchase a parcel of land in the South, a step toward claiming his piece of the American Dream.
Their uncle Doaker (Samuel L. Jackson) is standing amid this familial tug-of-war, a pragmatic and steadying presence who works to maintain peace in a household fraught with tension. However, Berniece remains stubborn and fiercely protective of the piano, which carries the weight of her family’s history and the spirits of generations past. To exorcise its haunting legacy, she turns to Avery (Corey Hawkins), a reverend and her would-be suitor, in a desperate effort to confront the ghosts that bind her family to its troubled heritage. The film deftly explores themes of legacy, ambition, and the struggle between preserving the past and forging a future, all within the framework of a deeply moving family drama.
The piano is one of the film’s most mesmerising and evocative symbols. Intricately carved with the family’s history, it becomes more than just an instrument; it serves as a haunting repository of their lineage, resonating with the anguish and resilience of their enslaved ancestors. Every note it produces feels like a cry from the past, echoing the weight of generational trauma.
However, while the piano’s symbolism is richly layered, the film struggles to strike a harmonious balance in tone. It oscillates between the delicate notion of a romantic overture, the chilling intensity of gothic horror, and the fiery crescendo of righteous anger. Rather than blending seamlessly into a unified composition, these tonal shifts often reveal the jagged edges of the transitions. Compounded by many flashbacks, each tonal leap feels less like a variation within a symphony and more like the film picking up an entirely new instrument, making it difficult for the narrative to maintain cohesion.
Malcolm Washington’s directorial debut exhibits a masterful command of visual storytelling, crafting an intimate and arresting cinematic experience. The way he frames his actors’ faces during pivotal moments, capturing every nuance of emotion, is exquisite. His ability to manipulate light—from the golden hues of fields at dusk to the muted tones of mahogany-lined rooms at dawn—elevates the film’s aesthetic to something genuinely poetic. Yet, despite these remarkable technical achievements, the film struggles to justify its existence fully. It feels more like a showcase for the impressive talent involved than a reinvention or fresh interpretation of an already cherished work.
Bridging the gap between stage and screen is an admirable pursuit, particularly considering the prohibitive costs and limited accessibility of live theatre, especially for works as significant as those by August Wilson. In this context, the film’s existence is essential. It is heartening to see Netflix invest in complex, mature narratives rooted in African-American cultural heritage and make them available to a broader audience. It’s equally gratifying to witness Samuel L. Jackson deliver a restrained, finely tuned performance, unburdened by his usual blockbuster fare constraints.
Yet, the film’s most significant accomplishment may lie in its potential rather than its execution. Like the themes it explores, this work hints at a brighter future. It serves less as a definitive statement of Washington’s artistry and more as a promising foundation for the greatness to come.
Overall: 6/10
Movie Reviewer
