Tuner

by Mike McGranaghan

Niki White (Leo Woodall) has a condition called hyperacusis that makes him extremely sensitive to loud noises. He constantly has protective devices in his ears, and when out in public, he’s prone to wearing noise-cancelling headphones. As suggested by the title Tuner, Niki works as a piano tuner alongside his mentor, Harry Horowitz (Dustin Hoffman). A movie about piano tuners doesn’t sound like the most exciting thing in the world, but director Daniel Roher, whose Navalny is one of the tensest documentaries of the decade, has made a top-notch thriller centered around this unusual guy.

When Harry falls ill and accumulates medical bills his wife Marla (Tovah Feldshuh) can’t afford to pay, Niki puts in a call to Uri (Lior Raz), a man he met while working a job in a mansion. It turns out that his aural sensitivity makes it possible for him to hear the inner workings of a safe, thereby allowing him to crack the combination. Uri has offered good money to aid him and his two assistants in breaking into the homes of rich people and skimming things – a few bucks here, a luxury watch there – from their safes. The jobs become riskier, though, putting Niki in danger. As he engages in this illicit activity, he simultaneously romances an aspiring composer, Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu).

Tuner develops its protagonist in interesting ways. Over time, we learn how hyperacusis impacts his life. The affliction has given him opportunities, such as working with Harry, and it has provided serious setbacks. Roher makes the world feel threatening to Niki by showing him in various situations. When a fire alarm goes off, for example, he has an almost traumatic response. The idea that Niki’s greatest skill and biggest weakness are the same thing helps to drive the tension as Uri’s assignments put him at increased risk.

Leo Woodall (Nuremberg) is captivating in the role. The actor suggests a lot of conflicting feelings within Niki, making him strong yet sensitive, and bold despite obvious anxiety. (How could he not be anxious when noises are so unpredictable?) Woodall also conveys the character’s moral code. Yes, he begins stealing, but it’s only to help the man who has spent years helping him. We worry about him more due to that code. Getting hurt or arrested would be bad; losing his integrity altogether would be tragic.

Hoffman has a smallish supporting role as Harry. Nevertheless, he imbues the veteran piano tuner with a joie de vivre. Harry is one of those gents who knows everybody, and everybody knows him. Even with limited screen time, Hoffman is as commanding as ever. As Ruthie, Liu transcends the usual girlfriend cliches, showing how she forms a rare connection with Niki. The movie puts their relationship to the test during the last act, and it is here that Liu most fully shines.

Roher edits certain scenes with a musical rhythm, particularly those where Niki is attempting to hear the tumblers inside the safes. This suggests that he experiences those noises as one might hear an orchestra. The technique similarly conveys the urgency of what he’s doing. Tuner is suspenseful throughout because it takes the characters as seriously as it does the heists. It’s a fast-paced ride with a clever hook.