Malcolm and John David Washington make their film debut

The Piano Lesson has become the latest play by August Wilson to be adapted for the screen by Denzel Washington and his family.

But while the Hollywood star has directed, starred in or produced adaptations like Fences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom in recent years, it is his two sons who are at the heart of the film adaptation. Latest screen format.

The Piano Lesson was directed by filmmaker Malcolm Washington, while his actor brother John David Washington played one of the main roles. Their father Denzel acts as a producer.

Speaking ahead of the film’s UK premiere at the London Film Festival, John David Washington described the filmmaking team as “fearless” in their attempt to create a unique interpretation of the 1987 play.

Malcolm and John David Washington’s two older sisters also star in The Piano Lesson – Katia Washington is an executive producer, while Olivia Washington, who recently starred alongside Kit Harington in the West End show Slave Play, has an acting role .

Speaking at the Telluride Film Festival last month, actress and Denzel’s wife, Pauletta Pearson Washington, admitted the film was a family affair and joked: “All my kids are in on this.”

The film could also see actress Danielle Deadwyler enter the Oscar race, two years after she was widely seen as unfairly snubbed following her lauded performance in Till.

Set in 1936 Pittsburgh in the wake of the Great Depression, the Netflix film tells the story of a brother and sister who disagree about what to do with an heirloom piano they inherited.

Daughter Berniece (Deadwyler) has not played the piano since the brothers’ mother passed away. Instead, it sits in her living room and serves as a reminder of what her ancestors endured as slaves.

The faces of previous generations of the family have been carved into the piano wood. But while Berniece refuses to even move the piano, her brother, Boy Willie (John David Washington), wants to sell it to buy land.

Speaking at Deadline’s Contender’s London event, John David Washington described the attitude of the cast and production team as “fearless”.

“It was fearless because immediately, we were like, okay, we’re doing it our movie,” he said. “There are many versions of this story that exist, and this one is ours.

“We’re going to put it through the filter of honesty, truth and vulnerability, put ourselves on the line and refine it to the point where when you get to the end, the spirit of it is still there.” there.”

Deadwyler also praised Malcolm Washington, saying that the director “gave us freedom, especially in rehearsals, and those ideas and the way we interacted with each other helped him create whatever he wanted.” whatever he does with the camera.”

The new adaptation of The Piano Lesson could become part of the upcoming film awards race. Washington’s two other August Wilson adaptations, Fences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, were nominated for Oscars in 2017 and 2021, respectively.

But while those two films are like plays shot largely in one location, The Piano Lesson has much more visual variety. Malcolm Washington attempted to make it into a more cinematic adaptation.

Wilson was an American playwright known for documenting the lives and experiences of black Americans. His other works include Jitney, Two Trains Running and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.

The Piano Lesson was revived on Broadway in 2022, and many of the actors who appeared on stage in it have moved on to film.

However, star Till Deadwyler joined the cast for the screen adaptation, and many critics praised her performance.

“Even though most of the cast is the same as having appeared on Broadway, the film is undeniably Deadwyler’s show,” Variety’s Peter Debruge said.

The actress “boosts the film with an incredibly brave and powerful performance”, Entertainment Weekly’s Maureen Lee Lenker agreed.

Deadwyler is widely expected to take one of the five best actress spots when that year’s Oscar nominations are announced in January 2023.

However, a combination of events meant she missed out on a place in the category, which had such a successful grassroots campaign. to score Andrea Riseborough a nomination and Michelle Williams’ decision to cast herself as the lead actress instead of supporting actress.

That means The Piano Lesson could be seen by Academy voters as a second chance to recognize Deadwyler’s work, potentially propelling her into this year’s best supporting actress race. .

The film has received generally positive reviews from critics at the film festivals it has played in so far, although some of their reactions have been more lukewarm.

“It is clear that Washington took the task of tuning Wilson quite seriously and there is much to admire about The Piano Lesson,” Hollywood Reporter’s Lovia Gyarkye said.

“But the mission can also be limited, and there are times when The Piano Lesson is too faithful, struggling to shake the ghosts of the stage.”

“Malcolm Washington shows himself to be a capable director, expanding this story in ways possible while remaining faithful to the source material,” Collider’s Ross Bonaime wrote.

The Wrap’s Carla Renata said the film “serves as a reminder that generational wealth is not just monetary but is also emotionally and genetically tied to our ancestors”.

But IndieWire’s Caleb Hammond said: “While this version has quite a few standout scenes along with Oscar-ready performances, the film never quite coalesces into an effective, unique and emotional story.”

Piano Lessons marks the directorial debut of Malcolm Washington. In an interview with Variety Last month, his father, Denzel, said: “I am extremely proud of Malcolm.

“From the beginning, I knew he had a vision. Through my son, I learned the difference between making films and being a filmmaker. I had directed four movies… but I didn’t necessarily know what to do. Malcolm studied filmmaking. He is a scholar.

“When he was young, he read my script and asked profound questions. His mother was a big movie buff, so he – like all of my children – grew up watching movies. He always wanted to make movies and now he is doing it. It.”

While Malcolm is behind the camera, viewers may be more familiar with John David Washington, the actor who starred in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet and has also appeared in Amsterdam, BlacKkKlansman and Malcolm & Marie opposite Zendaya.