The Piano Lesson (1995)

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(233 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

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Lloyd Richards, Loyd Richards
Written By: August Wilson
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Feb 5, 1995 Wide
On DVD: Apr 11, 2000
Studio: Republic Pictures Home Video

Critic Reviews

Gil Jawetz, DVDTalk.com
[H]istory is not played for the obvious, simplistic moral lesson but rather... is allowed the detail and nuance of real life.
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.
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.