Pop Culture Happy Hour: The Piano Lesson
Released: November 26, 2024
Hosts: Linda Holmes and Aisha Harris

Introduction

In this episode of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, hosts Linda Holmes and Aisha Harris delve into the latest film adaptation of August Wilson's acclaimed play, "The Piano Lesson." Produced by Denzel Washington and directed by his son Malcolm Washington, the film brings to life themes of family, legacy, and community with a stellar cast including John David Washington and Samuel L. Jackson.

Overview of the Film Adaptation

Linda Holmes opens the discussion by highlighting the significance of Denzel Washington’s role as producer and parental influence in the project.

Linda Holmes [00:52]: "You may not see Denzel Washington in the new film adaptation of the August Wilson play The Piano Lesson, but his influence as producer and parent is unmistakable. That makes sense in a story about family, legacy, and community."

Aisha Harris elaborates on the directorial and acting choices, noting Malcolm Washington’s dual role as director and co-writer, and John David Washington’s portrayal of Boy Willie.

Aisha Harris [01:07]: "Denzel's son Malcolm is the director and his son John David plays one of the leads alongside Danielle Deadweiler. And this story of hauntings, both literal and figurative, makes a big impression."

Cinematic Challenges in Adapting August Wilson’s Play

The hosts explore the inherent challenges in translating August Wilson’s rich, dialogue-driven plays from stage to screen. Aisha points out the difficulty in maintaining the oral tradition that is central to Wilson's storytelling.

Aisha Harris [04:59]: "There is a dialogue. It's hard not for it to feel somewhat like, stagey in a performance. I don't necessarily mean that as a bad thing, but, like, there is a cadence and there is a way that they talk."

Linda shares her mixed feelings about the adaptation, particularly regarding the visualization of key scenes that were originally described verbally in the play.

Linda Holmes [06:55]: "I wasn't sure whether I needed to. To actually see all these things as opposed to having them described, because so much of this story is about the telling of stories."

Performance Reviews

John David Washington as Boy Willie

Linda and Aisha critique John David Washington’s portrayal of Boy Willie, noting his intense and consistent energy throughout the film.

Aisha Harris [14:43]: "This movie made me realize that John David Washington, he is inconsistent for me... he gets a little bit better towards the end."

Linda appreciates the potential for more dynamic range in his performance.

Linda Holmes [13:02]: "I think he comes into this at a very kind of a cranked up pitch of a young man who is really intense about everything, really angry..."

Samuel L. Jackson as Doaker

The duo praises Samuel L. Jackson’s nuanced performance, highlighting his deep connection to the character and the play’s history.

Linda Holmes [17:39]: "It is a different kind of Samuel L. Jackson performance... he has had such a tremendous and fun career playing a lot of, like, big parts."

Corey Hawkins as Avery

Corey Hawkins is lauded for his authentic and heartfelt portrayal, adding depth to the character of Avery, the preacher.

Aisha Harris [18:51]: "I also love Corey Hawkins, who also has a very deep theater background... he has this way where you can see the shock, the unease registering over his face."

Themes of History, Legacy, and Family Conflict

The conversation delves into the central themes of the film, focusing on the symbolic significance of the piano and its connection to the family's history of enslavement.

Aisha Harris [21:18]: "This is the point that they both have to confront their insecurities and their demons... characters who are trying to work through all this history and all this trauma."

Linda reflects on the supernatural elements, questioning their necessity in visual storytelling versus the play’s verbal exposition.

Linda Holmes [09:57]: "the place is haunted by Sutter's ghost, which I thought was a really interesting choice."

Comparisons to Other Works

Aisha draws parallels between "The Piano Lesson" and Lorraine Hansberry’s "A Raisin in the Sun," particularly in how both plays center around a significant family inheritance that sparks ideological debates.

Aisha Harris [12:29]: "this reminds me so much of A Raisin in the Sun... at the center of both of these plays is this sort of ideological debate around a specific item or, like, inheritance that is passed down within the family."

Conclusion and Overall Impressions

Linda and Aisha conclude with their overall impressions of the film, acknowledging both its strengths and areas for improvement. They commend Denzel Washington’s commitment to preserving August Wilson’s legacy through these adaptations.

Aisha Harris [24:01]: "I appreciate that. And so far, I think the three movies that have come out of this, they're all varying degrees of successful, I think. But none of them have been, in my opinion, terrible. So that's a win."

Linda echoes this sentiment, expressing gratitude for the project’s continuation despite minor critiques.

Linda Holmes [24:08]: "There are other things about it that I'm just so incredibly glad I saw it, and I'm super glad they made it. And I'm glad they're going to continue to make these."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour offers an insightful exploration of "The Piano Lesson," balancing critical analysis with appreciation for the film’s artistic endeavors. Linda Holmes and Aisha Harris provide listeners with a comprehensive overview of the adaptation’s artistic choices, performances, and thematic depth, making it a valuable listen for both fans of August Wilson and newcomers alike.

Notable Quotes:

• Linda Holmes [00:52]: "You may not see Denzel Washington in the new film adaptation of the August Wilson play The Piano Lesson, but his influence as producer and parent is unmistakable."

• Aisha Harris [04:59]: "There is a dialogue. It's hard not for it to feel somewhat like, stagey in a performance."

• Aisha Harris [12:29]: "This reminds me so much of A Raisin in the Sun... at the center of both of these plays is this sort of ideological debate around a specific item or, like, inheritance that is passed down within the family."

• Linda Holmes [24:08]: "I'm super glad they're going to continue to make these."

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