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Tuner

 "Tuner" is an old-fashioned thriller with ideas. Niki tunes pianos to pay his rent--but, in his past life, he was a gifted pianist. A case of hyperacusis means that he can no longer tolerate most noises.


In my childhood, I studied the clarinet with a formerly professional musician. He himself had apprenticed with Luke Cage; when his body stopped working, he had to become a teacher. I could feel the weight of his sadness when I was with him.

In "Tuner," Niki's depression is a ticking time bomb. He wants to live his life, but he also carries so much rage because he has been given a raw deal. His mentor encourages him to go out on dates--is this smart? If he can't take care of himself, should he really aim for an ambitious social life?

Hyperacusis has an odd surprise for Niki. Because of his sensitivity, he can break the codes for access to various safes. Through a plausible coincidence, Niki falls in with a gang of thieves. He becomes indispensable to these thugs. The money allows him to pay off his mentor's hospital bills--and to impress a new love interest. What could go wrong?

Quite a bit. It's easy to like Niki *because* he is so flawed. As he blows up second chance after second chance after second chance, he becomes more and more fascinating (at least for the viewer sitting in the movie theater).

This film is like a more accessible version of "Anora." It's an intelligent portrait of a great character. And--like "Anora"--it has a startling conclusion. Recommended.
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