In Tuner, a guy who tunes pianos for a living discovers a talent for cracking safes, drawing him into a dangerous world of crime and thieves–just as he’s trying to hook up with a blossoming composer. Well made and absorbing for unexpected reasons, Tuner is a weirdly satisfying mix of crime thriller, drama, and romance.
Leo Woodall plays Niki, a former pianist who has an ear condition that makes him highly sensitive to loud noises, but capable of hearing the most nuanced of sounds (such as the clicking of a combination lock). His gifts also attract the attention of Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), who may or may not be looking for a different kind of tuning from Niki.
Woodall gives a terrific performance in the lead role, navigating a complex character who is equally tough and sensitive. He carries the weight of the film well, and he and Liu have great chemistry together. Their budding relationship feels real and grounded; this is no sweeping romance, but instead a depiction of two people getting to know each other through starts and fits.
When your new partner is becoming a criminal, there may be more fits than starts, however.
Director and co-writer Daniel Roher is the real tuner of Tuner, of course. The movie, which effortlessly shifts and blends genres, is oddly alluring. The writing, direction, and story just click. Believable characters, intoxicating writing, and a slow-boil story that holds your attention from the first minute make it all work.
Lior Raz makes a formidable antagonist.
Tuner doesn’t fully crack the climax, however; if you’re here for the crime thriller elements first and foremost, it offers up a mildly satisfying but hardly memorable bounty. But stepping back further, the ending complements the story well.
Tuner is a superbly well made movie that is much better than you’d expect from a movie about a piano tuner. It doesn’t hit all the right chords in the third act, but plays a wonderful tune nonetheless.
Review by Erik Samdahl. Erik is a marketing and technology executive by day, avid movie lover by night. He is a member of the Seattle Film Critics Society.