May 26, 2026
FILM: TUNER
DIRECTED BY: DANIEL ROHER
STARRING: LEO WOODALL, DUSTIN HOFFMAN, HAVANA ROSE LIU
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
In Tuner, Leo Woodall plays piano tuner Niki White working for his “uncle” Harry, portrayed by the great Dustin Hoffman. Now in his late 80s, Harry’s hearing is mostly gone but so is that of Niki. The latter has a condition which makes him “allergic” to loud noise. As a result, the once promising piano prodigy is hyper sensitive to sounds. This is a problem when excess noises are present but a benefit when a group of criminals finds that he can be an asset to their safe-cracking needs. Niki hears what most of us wouldn’t – assuming there are no distractions in the environment. As a result, Niki finds himself caught between legitimate work and a means for more money than he is accustomed to which comes in handy when Harry accrues some significant hospital bills.
Niki is a young guy trying to find his way in the world. While he reluctantly goes along with the underworld safe-cracking schemes, he develops a relationship with a young composer, Ruthie (Havana Roe Liu) who opens up a deeper part of himself. While watching Niki’s development it isn’t always easy to pinpoint exactly what his needs really are. Is it the money for Harry’s bills? His career as a piano tuner? His budding romance with Ruthie? Directed and co-written by Daniel Roher (an Oscar-winner for his documentary Navalny) the film doesn’t try to lean too heavily on any of these genre elements. It’s really more of a character study of a young guy trying to make the best of his disability and early adulthood desires.
What Tuner has most going for it are its incorporation of sounds and music to connect us to Niki’s perspective. The score is an impressive mix of piano compositions with techno elements and shades of jazz making for a unique blend of genres and styles. Each of these are keeping with not only the interests of the characters but also the variety of energies expressed throughout the film. One can feel the influence of a film like Damian Chazelle’s Whiplash in the expertly constructed edits which unite impressive cinematography and perspectives. The focus on music, its composition, and performance is also reminiscent of a film such as Tar while the sound design recalls Baby Driver and the Oscar-winning Sound of Metal. This last comparison is particularly a standout as Niki is deeply affected by the excess noises in his environments that sound at times like annoying machinery and big city distractions. (The film was shot in Toronto and New York City.)
There’s also a mixing of film genres here as it is at once a crime thriller, romance, and character study. Roher thus defies easy categorization which could be a problem for some but actually makes the film more accessible and perhaps more entertaining for a wider audience.
The performances are solid. Leo Goodall, best known for The White Lotus, is effective as a scruffy young manly man who is trying to find his way on a number of fronts. Dustin Hoffman adds a lightness to the film as he plays into his age and vulnerabilities. It’s too bad he’s not on screen more than he is though.
Tuner is a pretty satisfying film going experience. Some say it’s best to see it in a theater where the sound is loud, thus emphasizing that impressive soundscape present throughout the film. I’m not sure that is necessary but I wouldn’t be surprised to find the film nominated in the sound category at next year’s Oscars. The perspective it provides and varying tonal shifts are quite impressive.
Tuner is currently playing in limited release. It opens wider this week.
FILM: TUNER
DIRECTED BY: DANIEL ROHER
STARRING: LEO WOODALL, DUSTIN HOFFMAN, HAVANA ROSE LIU
RATING: 3 ½ out of 4 stars
By Dan Pal
In Tuner, Leo Woodall plays piano tuner Niki White working for his “uncle” Harry, portrayed by the great Dustin Hoffman. Now in his late 80s, Harry’s hearing is mostly gone but so is that of Niki. The latter has a condition which makes him “allergic” to loud noise. As a result, the once promising piano prodigy is hyper sensitive to sounds. This is a problem when excess noises are present but a benefit when a group of criminals finds that he can be an asset to their safe-cracking needs. Niki hears what most of us wouldn’t – assuming there are no distractions in the environment. As a result, Niki finds himself caught between legitimate work and a means for more money than he is accustomed to which comes in handy when Harry accrues some significant hospital bills.
Niki is a young guy trying to find his way in the world. While he reluctantly goes along with the underworld safe-cracking schemes, he develops a relationship with a young composer, Ruthie (Havana Roe Liu) who opens up a deeper part of himself. While watching Niki’s development it isn’t always easy to pinpoint exactly what his needs really are. Is it the money for Harry’s bills? His career as a piano tuner? His budding romance with Ruthie? Directed and co-written by Daniel Roher (an Oscar-winner for his documentary Navalny) the film doesn’t try to lean too heavily on any of these genre elements. It’s really more of a character study of a young guy trying to make the best of his disability and early adulthood desires.
What Tuner has most going for it are its incorporation of sounds and music to connect us to Niki’s perspective. The score is an impressive mix of piano compositions with techno elements and shades of jazz making for a unique blend of genres and styles. Each of these are keeping with not only the interests of the characters but also the variety of energies expressed throughout the film. One can feel the influence of a film like Damian Chazelle’s Whiplash in the expertly constructed edits which unite impressive cinematography and perspectives. The focus on music, its composition, and performance is also reminiscent of a film such as Tar while the sound design recalls Baby Driver and the Oscar-winning Sound of Metal. This last comparison is particularly a standout as Niki is deeply affected by the excess noises in his environments that sound at times like annoying machinery and big city distractions. (The film was shot in Toronto and New York City.)
There’s also a mixing of film genres here as it is at once a crime thriller, romance, and character study. Roher thus defies easy categorization which could be a problem for some but actually makes the film more accessible and perhaps more entertaining for a wider audience.
The performances are solid. Leo Goodall, best known for The White Lotus, is effective as a scruffy young manly man who is trying to find his way on a number of fronts. Dustin Hoffman adds a lightness to the film as he plays into his age and vulnerabilities. It’s too bad he’s not on screen more than he is though.
Tuner is a pretty satisfying film going experience. Some say it’s best to see it in a theater where the sound is loud, thus emphasizing that impressive soundscape present throughout the film. I’m not sure that is necessary but I wouldn’t be surprised to find the film nominated in the sound category at next year’s Oscars. The perspective it provides and varying tonal shifts are quite impressive.
Tuner is currently playing in limited release. It opens wider this week.