The Piano Lesson (1995)
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68% of users liked it
(240 ratings)
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… More 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. ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi
- Directed By
- Lloyd Richards, Loyd Richards
- Written By
- August Wilson
- Genres
- Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Feb 5, 1995 Wide
- On DVD
- Apr 11, 2000
- Studio
- Republic Pictures Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide
There is an element of magical realism to this story, not unlike Toni Morrison's Beloved, and that comes across well.
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Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
Passionate screen adaptation of August Wilson's Pulitzer Prize-winning play about two siblings forced to clarify their values about tradition, money and desire.
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Cast
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Alfre Woodard
as Berniece
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Charles S. Dutton
as Boy Willie
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Tommy Hollis
as Avery
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Tommy Lafitte
as Ace
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Ben Tatar
as Watermelon Man
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Courtney B. Vance
as Lymon
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Carl Gordon
as Doaker
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Harold Surratt
as Papa Willie Boy
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Zelda Harris
as Maretha
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Lou Myers
as Wining Boy
- Lynne Innerst
- Rosalyn Coleman
