TUNER (Paramount+): A Crime Caper That Hits All the Right Notes
TUNER was on my “to see” list for a while. Music is a big part of our family, so anything set in that world is a plus. When that is mixed with a few crime capers and characters who feel real and tangible, it becomes even more of a draw. TUNER is definitely one to keep an eye on when scanning through screener apps.
Movie Specs & Synopsis
Synopsis: A talented piano tuner who suffers from hyperacusis discovers an unexpected aptitude for cracking safes, turning his life upside down.
Runtime: 1h 47m | Rating: Rated R for language throughout, some violence, drug use, and brief nudity.
Where to Watch: Streaming now on Paramount+
Inside the World of Piano Tuning
We meet Niki White (Leo Woodall) where he spends most of the film: inside a piano. He works for Harry Harawitz (Dustin Hoffman), who is more of a father figure than a boss. We figure out early on that Niki and Harry are very close, and there might even be some family connection, though it is never really fleshed out—or needed.
Harry and Niki spend their days servicing pianos in grandiose mansions for wealthy people who rarely even touch their instruments. But as any owner will tell you, pianos go out of tune whether they are played or not. It is a decent living, and Niki has a great ear for music. As the story goes on, we learn just how incredible his ear is and how his hyperacusis—a rare hearing disorder where everyday, moderate-level sounds are perceived as uncomfortably loud, painful, or frightening—has led him from playing in great piano halls to tuning them.
From Fine-Tuning to Safe-Cracking
Niki also finds out by mere chance that his hearing ability is useful for opening safes by listening for the tumblers inside. When the need for money arises, Niki turns this ability into a lucrative skill that a group of thieves uses for their own gain.
“The thing about crime, though, is that it’s easy to get into, but almost impossible to get out of.”
The script does a grand job of combining elements of crime, music, and rich characterization to make an engaging story that is easy and entertaining to follow. Romance even makes an appearance and adds hugely to the plot in the form of Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), a young piano and composition student with whom Niki shares a bond.
A Timeless Craft and a Pitch-Perfect Cast
The art of piano tuning has changed very little over the centuries. It is one space where technology has yet to take over. It is all hand tools, a love of the instrument, and the ability to hear what is there—and what isn’t.
Setting the film in this world makes the story feel timeless. Other than a few modern conveniences, this film could have been made in the ’70s or ’80s with the same plot points. This was another element that made it stand out to me.
Dustin Hoffman may be the biggest name here, but everyone rises to the level required to make this story sing. TUNER hits all the right notes. It sort of slid under the radar in theaters, but it is what I like to call a perfect “made for streaming” option for home movie night.
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