TUNER

(director/writer: Daniel Roher; screenwriter: Robert Ramsey; cinematographer: Lowell Meyer; editor: Greg O’Bryant; music: Will Bates; cast: Leo Woodall (Niki), Dustin Hoffman (Harry Horovitz), Havana Rose Liu (Ruthie), Lior Raz (Uri), Tovah Feldshuh (Maria); Runtime: 107; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: JoAnne Sellar, Lila Yacoub, Teddy Schwarzman, Michael Heimler; A Black Bear; 2025)

“Enjoyable character study that turns into a zany caper film.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

In his fictional film debut, Daniel Roher (“Navalny”/”Once Were Brothers”) directs this enjoyable character study that turns into a zany caper film. He co-writes the original story with Robert Ramsey.

The shy and musically gifted young man Niki (Leo Woodall) is an apprentice piano tuner from London, who has a medical condition called hyperacusis and must wear earplugs when working because he’s deeply affected by any noise. Niki works with his eccentric mentor, the hard-of-hearing Harry Horowitz (Dustin Hoffman). Despite their medical flaws, these tuners are considered the best in town.

When working alone for a wealthy client after Harry’s hospitalized, Niki meets in a wealthy client’s home a gang of safe-crackers, led by Uri (Lior Raz, Israeli actor). The gang realize how good he could be at in breaking into safes and convince the kid to work for them and make some money to pay for Harry’s mounting medical bills. 

Niki also begins a relationship with the charming music school student Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), as he tries to balance his social life with his criminal one.

The inventive film is funny and playful. It gets by even when the plot hits a few sour notes in the third act. The trick is Niki never becomes too much of a criminal to become unlikable.

Tovah Feldshuh is in a positive supporting role, warmly playing Dustin’s wife.

It played at the Telluride Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 11/19/2025  GRADE: B
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