Roher cast Dustin Hoffman in a fun role as Harry Horowitz. He’s the owner of his own piano tuning Company, but can’t do the physical work anymore. Niki does it all and it’s fascinating to watch his tune each magnificent instrument. Niki was a prodigy but can’t play any more because of his condition. He wears special ear protection because he cannot tolerate loud noises. 

Niki and Harry are as close as a father and son. And Harry’s wife Marla (Tovah Felshuh) treats Niki as family. When Harry forgets the combination for their closet safe, Niki is called on, as usual, to solve the problem and studies how, with his acute hearing, to distinguish the sounds of tumblers. 

Niki is called to the Shavitz concert hall in New York City to tune the concert piano for talented young composer Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu) practicing her graduate composition. She’s adamantly and energetically playing a complicated piece she wrote and is not happy stopping to let Niki tune the piano. Done, they engage in stilted conversation. 

Not long after, there’s a cute scene with Harry and Niki at the counter in a coffee shop when Ruthie comes in. Harry picks up on them having met and pushes that Niki is eligible, making them walk off together. Little sparks start.

When Harry gets sick, Niki is on the job by himself having to go late at night  to a fancy estate sans owners. When he hears strange sounds upstairs, he comes upon Israeli robbers led by Uri (Lior Raz) who take advantage the clients of their security firm robbing their safes for their expensive valuables. They enlist theTuner to help, offering a lot of money Niki knows Harry and Marla need to pay Harry’s huge medical bills. They continue to enlist him for a series of shady jobs to keep the money coming. 

Rose Liu and Woodall are convincing as lovers with mutual respect for their talents. As Niki and Ruthie slowly open up to each other about their families and past, their love story becomes the heart of this film. Marla is worried about Harry, but also about their beloved Niki burning the candle at both ends, tuning by day and night, when he’s actually doing something else. 

Ruthie’s anxiety about her upcoming concert reaches crescendo playing for big stakes, the possibility of working with world reknowned Maestro Marius Maissner (Jean Reno). But the Maestro notices something that needs explaining. We think that this was a little contrived, but it did keep our interest. At the same time, Niki gets attacked trying to right a wrong with Ruthie and stop working for Uri so he can leave his life of crime behind. 

Hoffman and Feldshuh with Woodall and Rose Liu hit all the right notes. There are several story lines Roher is able to keep going and flowing. But without the sound design, this touching, and often surprising musical love story would fall on deaf ears.

Black Bear  1 hour 50 minutes  R