Samuel L. Jackson’s New Netflix Hit Is Worth a Watch

Samuel L. Jackson has been a beloved and respected presence on the silver screen for decades, having proven himself to be one of Hollywood’s most dynamic and entertaining leading men throughout the course of his illustrious career. There is no genre, role, or film Jackson can’t completely make his own, having starred in a slew of unforgettable classics like Pulp Fiction, A Time to Kill, The Incredibles, and Django Unchained (to name just a few of his endless hits), and his films have collectively grossed over $27 billion, making him the highest-grossing actor of all time.

Apart from his dazzling cinema work, Jackson has also had a prominent presence on the stage and on Broadway, appearing in plays like A Soldier’s Play and The Mountaintop. After starring in the Yale Repertory Theatre’s production of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama The Piano Lesson in 1987, Jackson tackled the role of Doaker Charles in the 2022 Broadway revival and once more in the newly released Netflix adaptation; let’s check out what the moving period drama is all about.

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‘The Piano Lesson’ Is an Engrossing Adaptation of a Pulitzer-Winning Play

Based on August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name, the poignant 2024 drama The Piano Lesson features a star-studded ensemble cast led by Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, and Danielle Deadwyler and takes place in 1936 Pittsburgh during the devastating Great Depression, where the Charles family struggles to stay afloat during the global economic crisis. The engrossing picture centers on the strained relationship between siblings Boy Willie (Washington) and Berniece (Deadwyler) as they argue over what to do with the family’s beloved heirloom piano.

Boy Willie wants to sell the history-rich piano in order to buy the nearby Sutter land where his ancestors had once toiled as slaves, while his sister Berniece believes it is a priceless memento that should stay firmly safe within the family. The at-odds siblings’ enslaved ancestors had once been traded for the stolen cherished heirloom, and their great-grandfather had carved their faces and respective stories into the piano, forever entwining their fates with the musical instrument. Though she believes the spirit of Sutter haunts the piano, Berniece pushes back against her brother and sets out to rid the antique of its dark and sordid energy.

Samuel L. Jackson Knocks It Out of the Park Yet Again

The Piano Lesson marked Malcolm Washington’s feature directorial and screenwriting debut, with his father Denzel producing and brother John starring in the spellbinding adaptation of the revered stage play. Both Samuel L. Jackson and John David Washington also starred in the Broadway production of the thought-provoking drama in 2022, as did their silver screen co-stars Ray Fisher and Michael Potts. Unsurprisingly, Jackson delivered an exceptional performance yet again as the siblings’ uncle, Doaker Charles, who helped Boy Willie and Berniece’s father steal the piano from the slave owner 25 years prior.

Jackson masterfully embodies the essence of Doaker in the powerful historical drama, having previously earned a Tony Award nomination for his scene-stealing portrayal in the Broadway revival. The wise and weary Doaker attempts to help mediate the ongoing argument between the brother and sister, as Boy Willie wants to secure his family’s future, and Berniece wants to keep it to stay connected to their roots. Despite Doaker’s best intentions, the Charles clan’s pain and history of their heritage brings up not only his own pain and trauma but that of his family members (both living and dead).

Malcolm Washington set out to implement supernatural elements to serve as “a kind of Trojan horse” that could be used to explore different spiritualities and highlight people’s “connections to their lineage and ancestry.” The Piano Lesson is the third film adaptation Denzel Washington has produced based on August Wilson’s revered works, with the Academy Award-winning actor having previously helped create 2016’s Fences and 2020’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, with Netflix period drama already experiencing similar acclaim.

Critics and Audiences Are Impressed with ‘The Piano Lesson’

The Piano Lesson was given a special presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival before debuting on Netflix on November 22, 2024, attracting universal praise from critics and audiences alike. Fans of the August Wilson classic were blown away by how faithful and immersive the powerful drama was, with many lauding how beautifully acted the adaptation was, including Danielle Deadwyler’s stellar performance. It holds an exceptional 89% Rotten Tomatoes score and landed in Netflix’s Top 10 Films upon its premiere.

The internet is already buzzing that The Piano Lesson could be a contender for the upcoming awards season due to Washington’s expert direction, its stirring soundtrack, and the top-tier cast performances, with the general fan consensus being that the drama is a first-rate adaptation of the enduring play. The Boston Globe perfectly summed up the heart and soul of the emotionally compelling film, rightfully proclaiming in their glowing review of The Piano Lesson: “It captures the spirit of Wilson’s magnificent prose, moving the audience the way the author intended.” Stream The Piano Lesson on Netflix.