Tune In, Cop Out

Tuner lead character Nikki (Leo Woodall) hasn't had much luck. His parents aren't around and Hyperacusis (an extreme sensitivity to noise) put an end to his piano playing days. Now he puts his enhanced sense to use as a piano tuner, working for mentor and father figure Harry (Dustin Hoffman). When Harry falls ill and into debt, Nikki takes on a sideline in safe cracking for shady security boss Uri (Lori Raz). All is well at first, but as time goes on it becomes increasingly hard for Nikki to juggle his day job, lucrative but dangerous side hustle and a blossoming romance with musical student Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu).

The set up may make you think you are in for a slick crime caper, but that's not really what this film is. Director Daniel Roher made his name in documentaries and Tuner has a very naturalistic feel. The city is vibrant and busy while close up shots show the intricacy of the pianos and locks Nikki has mastery over. We are following characters (mainly Nikki) as events unfold in their life rather than watch them be propelled along by plot. It's a novel approach that really immerses you in the world, although the odd pacing will put some off.

The world it immerses you is one of have and have nots, opulence and under appreciation. Impressive grand pianos sit unused in lavish houses while the tuners who actually appreciate the instruments are treated like menial labour. The fact the wealthy aren't even aware of everything they own is what lets Uri steal from his clients.

Our lead's after hours employer may provide the movie's menace but he isn't a cardboard villain. He has his own set of morals and feels like a fleshed out character, as do the rest of the cast. Harry is a caring patriarchal figure, but his stubbornness leaves his wife in financial ruin. Ruthie is talented and focused, but also entitled. The fine supporting cast brings them all to life in energetic and textured ways.

At the centre of it all is Leo Woodall as the man with super hearing. On the one hand Nikki seems the strong silent type, on the other he is boyish and emotional. Woodall expertly walks the line between idealistic calculation and completely in over his head. It's a subtle and career best performance for the emerging star and marks the future Aragorn as someone likely to be around for a long time.

With such strong performances it's a shame the final act is out of key. In order to force some extra jeopardy, the plot forces some strange character decisions and falls back on a huge coincidence. Being undone by an outrageous slice of bad luck may be the point (earlier in the film Nikki explains there is no such thing as perfection in the world of piano tuning), but it feels lazy and is jarring when everything up to that point has been so precise.

The forced finale dents Tuner's credentials as an artistic character piece and the lack of twisty crime shenanigans means it will struggle to satisfy a mainstream thriller audience. Still, there is plenty to admire here and it's an interesting lens through which to view New York and the gulf between talent and appreciation.

7 gifted Rolex Watches out of 10.

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