DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇱 Israel /Culture & Society

'Tuner' mixes classical music, crime, and Dustin Hoffman - review

From Jerusalem Post · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • A new Israeli film, 'Tuner,' blends crime and classical music, starring Leo Woodall and Dustin Hoffman.
  • The drama follows a young piano tuner with perfect pitch and hyperacusis who discovers a talent for safecracking.
  • The film features a clever screenplay, strong performances, and a unique rapport between the main characters.

The Israeli film 'Tuner' offers an offbeat blend of drama and crime, featuring a unique premise and strong performances. The movie centers on Niki (Leo Woodall), a former piano prodigy with perfect pitch who suffers from hyperacusis, an extreme sensitivity to loud noises. This condition, however, unexpectedly grants him a talent for safecracking, drawing the attention of a crime gang.

Tuner, now playing in theaters throughout Israel, is an offbeat, interesting drama and crime caper, with some funny moments.

— ReviewerOpening description of the film.

The screenplay, co-written by director Daniel Roher and Robert Ramsey, is described as clever and surprising. The film also boasts notable performances from its cast, including veteran actor Dustin Hoffman as Harry Horowitz, Niki's older colleague in a piano-tuning business. Tovah Feldshuh and Lior Raz also contribute distinguished performances.

In a series of events that are a bit improbable but that seem quite credible while you’re watching, Niki discovers his finely tuned hearing gives him a great talent for safecracking, which brings him to the attention of a crime gang.

— ReviewerExplaining the central plot device.

Hoffman's character, Harry, is a laconic former musician struggling with hard times, while Niki lives an isolated life, trying to avoid attention. Their dynamic, as Niki tunes pianos and Harry critiques him, provides moments of humor and rapport. The plot is set in motion by a series of events, including Harry forgetting a safe combination, Niki discovering his safecracking abilities, and Harry falling into debt due to health issues. Niki also encounters Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), an ambitious pianist who is impressed by his perfect pitch.

It features a clever, often surprising screenplay, co-written by its director, Daniel Roher (who won an Oscar for the documentary, Navalny) and Robert Ramsey.

— ReviewerCommenting on the film's script and director.

Niki's safecracking skills eventually attract the attention of Uri (Lior Raz), who runs a fraudulent security company. Uri uses his knowledge of clients' homes to steal valuables, a scheme that benefits his gang significantly. The review notes Raz's performance as fitting the stereotype of an obnoxious Israeli character.

There are also wonderful performances from the cast, which also includes distinguished actress Tovah Feldshuh of Nobody Wants This and Fauda star Lior Raz.

— ReviewerHighlighting the cast's performances.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Jerusalem Post. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog