The Piano Lesson (1995)
The Piano Lesson Photos
Movie Info
Alfre Woodard and Charles S. Dutton star as sister and brother in this made-for-television Hallmark Hall of Fame production about an African-American family's struggle to retain their heritage. The drama tells the story of an impoverished black family whose history is told in the carvings on the family piano. Boy Willie (Dutton) wants to sell the piano and use the money to buy farmland, but sister Berniece (Woodard) won't part with it. The film chronicles their struggle to come to terms with their family's past, and its future. The critically acclaimed film was based on August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play and was nominated for numerous Emmy awards.
Cast
Charles S. Dutton
as Boy Willie
as Boy Willie
Alfre Woodard
as Berneice
as Berneice
Carl Gordon
as Doaker
as Doaker
Courtney B. Vance
as Lymon
as Lymon
Lou Myers
as Wining Boy
as Wining Boy
Tommy Hollis
as Avery
as Avery
Zelda Harris
as Maretha
as Maretha
Rosalyn Coleman
as Grace
as Grace
Tommy Lafitte
as Ace
as Ace
Lynne Innerst
as Miss Ophelia
as Miss Ophelia
Harold Surratt
as Papa Willie Boy
as Papa Willie Boy
Elva Branson
as Mama Berniece
as Mama Berniece
Tim Hartman
as Sutter
as Sutter
Ben Tatar
as Watermelon Man
as Watermelon Man
Alice Eisner
as Watermelon Lady
as Watermelon Lady
Bob Tracey
as Nolander
as Nolander
Critic Reviews for The Piano Lesson
All Critics (4) | Fresh (3) | Rotten (1) | DVD (1)
There is an element of magical realism to this story, not unlike Toni Morrison's Beloved, and that comes across well.
June 19, 2003 | Rating: 70/100 | Full Review…
Passionate screen adaptation of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play about two siblings forced to clarify their values about tradition, money and desire.
August 30, 2002 | Full Review…
Audience Reviews for The Piano Lesson
½
It was weird... but still a pretty solid movie. I enjoyed when they sang. It was poetic.
Dannielle Albert
Super Reviewer
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