The cast also includes Tovah Feldshuh (‘Just My Luck’), Lior Raz (‘Fauda’), Jean Reno (‘Leon: The Professional’) and Nissan Sakira (‘Encirclements’).

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Initial Thoughts

(L to R) Havana Rose Liu and Leo Woodall in ‘Tuner’. Photo: Courtesy of Black Bear.

‘Tuner’ might on the surface appear to be just another slightly quirky crime drama that played Sundance, but in reality, it’s a tense, interesting and compelling story of a young man who has turned a seeming life issue into a career, only for his special talent to also lead him down a dark road.

Script and Direction

(L to R) Dustin Hoffman and director Daniel Roher on the set of ‘Tuner’. Photo: Courtesy of Black Bear.

Director Daniel Roher has previously been known for documentaries, but here he brings that careful, thoughtful eye to a fictional drama. Writing with Robert Ramsey (‘Intolerable Cruelty’), he brings to life a memorable little movie where sound design is key and tension is used effectively.

Roher also deploys style well, never letting it overwhelm the character work.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Dustin Hoffman and Leo Woodall in ‘Tuner’. Photo: Courtesy of Black Bear.

Woodall has been establishing himself a healthy, eclectic career and his Niki is a great, troubled creation. He’s ably supported by Liu, who gets more to do than a basic girlfriend role.

If there’s an issue it’s that Dustin Hoffman’s casting almost feels like you’re sold a bill of goods, as he’s barely in the movie (though is effective in his scenes).

Final Thoughts

Leo Woodall in ‘Tuner’. Photo: Courtesy of Black Bear.

‘Tuner’ works aside from one or two moments late on when it hinges too heavily on coincidence. Still, the performances are uniformly excellent, the sound is outstanding and the story keeps you involved.

‘Tuner’ receives 75 out of 100.

Havana Rose Liu in ‘Tuner’. Photo: Courtesy of Black Bear.

What’s the story of ‘Tuner’?

A talented piano tuner’s life is turned upside down when he discovers that his meticulous skills for tuning pianos can equally be applied to cracking safes.

Who is in the cast of ‘Tuner’?

• Leo Woodall as Niki White
• Dustin Hoffman as Harry Horowitz
• Havana Rose Liu as Ruthie
• Lior Raz as Uri
• Tovah Feldshuh as Marla
• Jean Reno as Marius Maissner
• Nissan Sakira as Benny
• Gil Cohen as Yoni

‘Tuner’ opens in theaters on May 29th.

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