“THE PIANO LESSON” HITS SELECT THEATERS ON NOV. 8, AND ON NETFLIX, NOV. 22.
Play originally part of August Wilson’s ‘Pittsburgh Cycle’
by Merecedes J. Williams
Some say you shouldn’t mix business with pleasure or work with family, but it seems to be working for Denzel Washington’s family. Later this month, Washington will release the highly anticipated film, “Gladiator”; his wife, Pauletta, plays an opinionated mother on Hulu’s breakout sitcom, “Reasonable Doubt”; and their two sons, Malcolm and John David, dominate both sides of the camera in Netflix’s “The Piano Lesson.”
Commentary
Malcolm Washington directs the revival of “The Piano Lesson,” part of August Wilson’s celebrated Pittsburgh Cycle (also known as American Century Cycle), while his older brother stars as Boy Willie.
MERECEDES J. WILLIAMS INTERVIEWS MALCOLM WASHINGTON AND JOHN DAVID WASHINGTON IN PITTSBURGH, OCT. 28. (PHOTO BY JAY WHITE DIGITAL MEDIA)
Set in 1936, the movie follows the Charles family struggling over the fate of an heirloom piano intricately carved with their ancestors’ faces. This isn’t just a living room ornament; it’s a musical staple of pain, resilience and memory—a generational story of Black lives shaped by history and personal loss.
“The piano represents a lot—it’s an altar for all the ancestors that came before and made sacrifices and fought for the lives of their descendants,” said Malcolm Washington, 33. “It also, in so many ways, represents the future. What are you going to do with this legacy?”
I sat down with the brothers in August Wilson’s childhood home in the Hill District on October 28. Hours before they were set to host their own special screening of “The Piano Lesson,” we discussed a lot—the complexity of the film, what it’s like working with family, the great people of the Historic Hill District, and significance of August Wilson’s literary work.
The siblings both agree that the Pittsburgh playwright is the foundation of their careers and brought them together for this film.
“He is responsible for my Broadway debut. August Wilson is responsible for his cinematic debut. And these are moments in our lives that we will never forget,” said John David Washington, 40.
This adaptation breathes contemporary life into Wilson’s 1987 narrative and has a little bit of everything. The film reminds you of the gritty flashbacks of “Fried Green Tomatoes” (1991), the family woes of “Soul Food” (1997), and the supernatural activity of “The Deliverance” (2024).
This movie is a strong start for Malcolm Washington’s cinematic career. A sweet bonus is that “The Piano Lesson” was truly a family affair. Father Denzel Washington produced the film, mother Paulette Washington plays Mama Ola, sister Olivia Washington plays Young Mama Ola, and brother John David stars in the film.
Although not a part of the family, Danielle Deadwyler deserves her flowers, too. Her outstanding performances capture the subtle heartbreak, conviction and burden of being the only woman in the family. Just like the piano, she inherited her matriarch position, balancing the weight of history with moments of humor and warmth that feel authentic.
“The Piano Lesson” invites audiences to sit with the characters’ dilemmas and natural family dysfunction.
“I hope that when they engage with it, they see themselves in it. I hope they see the community they come from, the community they are connected to—the lineage, and find power, peace and protection in it,” said Malcolm Washington.
His brother added, “I hope people achieve a great sense of identity, to be proud of where you come from.”
John David Washington is also excited to bring audiences from so many different parts of the world to the Hill District.
“The Piano Lesson” will have a brief stint in select theaters November 8, 2024 before streaming on Netflix on November 22.