The Piano Lesson (1995)

1930's Pittsburgh, a brother comes home to claim "my half of the piano", a family heirloom; but his sister is not wanting to part with it. This is a glimpse of the conditions for ... See full summary »

Director:

Lloyd Richards

Writers:

August Wilson (play), August Wilson (teleplay)

Stars:

Charles S. Dutton, Alfre Woodard, Carl Gordon

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles S. Dutton	...	Boy Willie (as Charles Dutton)
Alfre Woodard	...	Berniece Charles
Carl Gordon	...	Doaker
Tommy Hollis	...	Avery
Lou Myers	...	Wining Boy
Courtney B. Vance	...	Lymon
Zelda Harris	...	Maretha
Rosalyn Coleman	...	Grace
Tommy Lafitte	...	Ace
Lynne Innerst	...	Miss Ophelia
Harold Surratt	...	Papa Willie Boy
Elva Branson	...	Mama Berniece
Tim Hartman	...	Sutter
Ben Tatar	...	Watermelon Man
Alice Eisner	...	Watermelon Lady (as Alice Gerber Eisner)

Storyline

1930's Pittsburgh, a brother comes home to claim "my half of the piano", a family heirloom; but his sister is not wanting to part with it. This is a glimpse of the conditions for African-Americans as well as some of the attitudes and influences on their lives. But whether he is able to sell the piano so that he can get enough money to buy some property and "no longer have to work for someone else" involves the story (or lesson) that the piano has to show him.

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Plot Keywords:

piano | african american | 1930s | priest | argument | 

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Taglines:

To their family, it meant more than a piano... it was their legacy and their future.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for thematic elements

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 February 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Piano Lesson (#44.2)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Craig Anderson Productions, Signboard Hill Productions, Hearst Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Rocky Carroll was nominated for the 1990 Tony Award (New York City) for Supporting or Features Actor in a Drama for "The Piano Lesson" for his portrayal of the character Lymon.

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Goofs

When Doaker, Wining Boy, Boy Willie and Lymon are sitting at the kitchen table drinking and singing, the level of alcohol rises in their glasses and the bottles between shots.

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Connections

Edited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)

User Reviews

Excellent play & film!

I first viewed this film in a literature class in 2003, and it quickly became one of my favorites. It rather saddens me that so many people complain that there's no story, no action. There is a lot of story to this film, if you want to take the time to watch and appreciate it. Not every movie has to be a massive epic. This film is a story about a family and how some of the members want a better life and to purge the past of pain, and just like real life, some of the best stories are about the intimate moments and of the struggles we all face.

If you enjoy a good drama, a story that slowly reveals the history behind the events you first see, this is the movie for you.