Canadian Writer/Director Daniel Roher’s first feature film is compelling on so many fronts. Watch but also listen closely and you’ll have a sensory experience that will immerse you in every sound, as well as in silence. The slightest vibration has meaning. Recommend watching in a theater with Dolby, if possible.
Leo Woodall is remarkable as Niki, having to run the gamut of emotions as an exceptional young man with perfect pitch. But he also has atypical hearing sensitivity called Hyperacusis, that becomes a plus, but also a nightmare. You will see how Niki reacts in scenes blaring piercing noise that affects the young tuner with inconceivable pain. What is so extraordinary about this film, is the Sound Design by Johnnie Burn who won an Oscar for his work on The Zone of Interest. He worked with Maximilian Behrens on that film, and they have done a stellar job working together again on the sound design for this one.
Roher, is known for his documentaries and won the Academy Award in 2022 for the amazingly detailed film Navalny, about the the Russian Opposition leader, lawyer and political prisoner. In this film, co-written with Robert Ramsey, Roher creates a film about family, with comedy, incredible music, romance, and high end crime.
Dustin Hoffman is cast in a fun role as Harry Horowitz and, according to director Roher, improvised a lot in his scenes. He’s the owner of his own piano tuning Company, but can’t do the physical work anymore. Harry loves Niki, who knows how to do it all. It’s fascinating to watch how Niki tunes each grand instrument. Niki was a prodigy but can’t play any more because of his condition. He wears special ear protection because he is not able to tolerate loud noises, which is made very clear as you watch this film.
Niki and Harry are as close as a father and son. And Harry’s wife Marla (Tovah Felshuh) treats Niki the same. When Harry forgets the combination for their closet safe, Niki is called, as usual, to solve the problem . He studies how, with his acute hearing, to distinguish the sounds of tumblers, and violà, opens their safe.
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 – Power Ballad) who is fervently 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. Finished, 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 absent the 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 by robbing their safes for their expensive valuables. They enlist the Tuner to help, offering a lot of money Niki knows Harry and Marla need to pay Harry’s huge medical bills. But, Uri continues to enlist him for a series of shady jobs to keep money coming.
Rose Liu and Woodall dive into their roles. Rose Liu took piano as a child, but both took lessons in prep for scenes in this film. They are convincing as lovers, reacting with mutual respect for each of 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, more dangerous.
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 important that needs explaining. We think this part is 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, surprising music, love and crime story would fall on deaf ears.
Black Bear 1 hour 50 minutes R
