Piano tuning, music composition, and safe cracking are quite niche professions, and ones that you wouldn’t think would have all that much overlap. Throughout Tuner, they are deftly woven together in ways that feel well motivated by the characters’ choices. And clearly, the writers and actors did their research, making these hidden worlds come to life in a believable way, complete with an amazing attention to detail.
At 88 years old, Hoffman can’t have too many performances left, so it is wonderful to see him bringing every bit of his charisma and acting chops to an age-appropriate role. He’s just as charming and electric as ever. Raz also deserves a shout-out for his performance as Uri. The role could have been a throwaway caricature, but the actor comes across as avuncular, charming, and even funny when he is recruiting Nikki into his team of misfits and screw-ups. But then he has to turn on the menace when things go south.
“…each thread is perfectly executed, from the writing, to the direction, to the acting.”
The real core of the film, though, is Nikki, and Woodall shines, carrying most of the dramatic weight of the film. He comes across as soulful, vulnerable, and relatable, even when we find him taking actions that we know will be destructive. Though he’s been in a few things already, this shines a spotlight on him as a young actor to watch.
Tuner is in some ways a melange of film tropes we’ve seen countless times — the student who eclipses the master, the heist movie, and the relationship wrecked by secrets. Why then does it work so well? One answer is that each thread is perfectly executed, from the writing to the direction to the acting. Another is the specific attention to detail and seeing new worlds on screen that we’ve never seen before. And finally, it isn’t as predictable as these tropes might suggest. What Daniel Roher has done with well-worn forms is to use them as setups, but put them together with a twist in a way that seems fresh and exciting.
Tuner had its Canadian premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
"…[Hoffman] brings every bit of his charisma and acting chops to an age-appropriate role."
