Tuner Review: A Fun and Conveniently Written Heist

      Oscar-winning director Daniel Roher admits that he lost his creative inspiration following Navalny's triumph. It’s not particularly surprising to reach the pinnacle of success in one’s field and question what lies ahead. This led him to meet a Los Angeles piano tuner named Peter White, which reignited his creative spark. While one might expect this encounter to result in a documentary about White or his profession, it surprisingly steered Roher toward his debut fiction film.

      Since 2022, Roher has produced two additional documentaries, suggesting that his creativity has been rejuvenated. Did the meeting with Tuner play a significant role in this revival? It certainly seems that way. Roher discusses the personal nature of this film, evident in the character of an artist who loses his ability to create. Niki White (Leo Woodall) might have accepted this fate, but art may still have plans for him.

      In collaboration with Robert Ramsey, Roher portrays this former child prodigy turned piano tuner through the lens of his biggest admirer and mentor, Harry Horowitz (Dustin Hoffman). While the exact nature of their connection remains vague, references to Niki's deceased father and his undeniable talent, alongside hints of Harry's dementia, raise questions about the reliability of Harry's accounts. Was Niki truly that exceptional? Does Harry genuinely know Herbie Hancock?

      The film effectively explores the idea that Harry embellishes stories about his passions, which is both charming and possibly more intriguing than uncovering the truth. Ultimately, these narratives hold little significance for the affluent clients who possess the unused grand pianos they repair daily, many of whom even think it’s acceptable to request plumbing assistance as well.

      The reality of their lives unfolds gradually as we immerse ourselves in their world and experience it firsthand. This shift is partly driven by Harry's illness and Niki's necessity to keep their business afloat after Harry's wife (Tovah Feldshuh’s Marla) uncovers growing medical debts. The apprentice must work independently, meet new clients, and unfortunately, get involved in a morally ambiguous life that isn’t as “victimless” as he imagines.

      Peter White's influence is palpable in the often-thankless artistry of Niki's work as a piano tuner. Roher's own struggles with identity and inspiration echo in Niki's internal struggle to reclaim a position in a world that seems predetermined for him. The heist elements introduced through a chance encounter with Uri (Lior Raz) inject a dose of drama to elevate the stakes and enjoyment. Although intentions and execution may not always align, the film remains an engaging experience.

      Niki has ceased playing the piano due to hyperacusis, a condition where sounds that seem normal cause him excruciating pain. Instead of using hearing aids (which Harry often forgets), Niki uses earplugs to dull sounds and occasionally wears headphones to block out even more noise. However, he discovers that this heightened sensitivity to sound has a unique advantage: safe-cracking.

      Desperate for money to support Harry, Niki teams up with Uri, who is eager to access the safes he installs in the homes of wealthy clients. Uri realizes that many homeowners have so many valuables that they wouldn’t notice if something went missing, and Niki can hear and “feel” the combination lock tumblers, enabling him to obtain items. He suddenly feels crucial once more. The “curse” that robbed him of his dreams now becomes a means to help others achieve theirs.

      This brings forth the core character drama: neither Marla nor Niki's new girlfriend, Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), a composition student passionate about music, would condone his new methods. Marla hopes Niki finds value in the piano tuning business her husband taught him, while Ruthie wants him to reconnect with the music world through her aspirations. He seeks to be helpful but yearns for validation.

      This raises significant questions. How do value and self-worth connect? At what point does a disregard for the consequences of one’s actions lead to difficulties for loved ones? Niki isn’t constructing anything for himself with these risky undertakings; he’s merely edging closer to a precipice. In contrast, he’s building something meaningful with Harry and is working on one with Ruthie—if only he can free himself from his own thoughts.

      Anticipate the inevitable fallout when Uri's jobs take a darker moral turn. Expect tensions to peak as the stress he faces collides with Ruthie’s emotions, igniting the anger he has barely concealed. The film also questions whether Niki’s frustrations stem from having been called special or from genuinely being so—regardless, both scenarios rely on his talent rather than his humanity.

      While the plot may intricately weave together Niki's personal, professional, and hidden lives to push him toward confronting his insecurities, the authentic emotions are largely attributed to Woodall’s performance alongside his co-stars (particularly Liu and Feldshuh, even if