Tuner Review: A crime thriller with wonderful premise and emotions
As soon as I realized this was the movie I'd be watching for my Monday secret screening, I was really excited! I forgot this film was coming out soon! Still, it was one I was really looking forward to... As a pianist who's performed in many cool places and has a lot of respect for the monotony of piano tuning, I couldn't wait to see how this film would play out as a crime thriller. Did it live up to my perhaps unrealistic expectations, or did it play worse than a bad E♭? That's what I, Brighton Nelson of The Reel Ranker, will be delving into in today's review. Thanks so much for stopping by the site, and I hope you enjoy your time here!
Honestly, I don't have anything particularly negative to say about this film, other than the fact that crime films aren't my favorite, which very slightly affects my opinion. The only other thing to say is that it could maybe be a bit tighter or more thrilling, or longer to delve deeper into the emotions, but the middle ground was also awesome, so I don't even know... It's practically a perfect movie!
So, let's get into the positives! First of all, the film absolutely lived up to its wonderful premise! There were so many jokes and emotional beats that were relatable to me, and they all landed really well at making me laugh or tear up. The film excellently explores both the mundane, sometimes aimless nature of repetitive blue-collar work and the immense pressure on creatives. It also explores how devastating it is to have outside circumstances crush your dreams, or the lengths people must often go to in an attempt to overcome America's flawed medical system.
It always finds powerful ways to explore themes by juxtaposing the main character with his girlfriend or mentor. It leads to a fantastic finale where you're simultaneously rooting for each of the flawed characters being followed, even as everything is collapsing. The final beats of the film are so satisfying, but in a messy, human way that doesn't overexaggerate and sugarcoat the results of the main character's actions.
The cinematography and music here are just as strong as the script, all of which are new frontrunners in my current Oscar picks! The cinematography and camerawork are so creative and memorable, especially for a film I wasn't expecting to be such a visual treat! I was continuously surprised by how good certain montages were. Where other films would probably just rush through them to get into the "good stuff", this film puts just as much effort into its montages as everything else.
As for the music, the original songs here are absolute bangers. I need this sheet music right now, or I may cry. Both the main character and his girlfriend play these epic masterworks—there's a reason the composer shows up so easily in the credits! The day this movie wide-releases, I will be stalking the Internet to learn how to play these because they look so fun!
The Reel Ranker Verdict
Reel or Unreel? - Reel
The Reel Ranker Score: 93%
Letter Score: S
Star Ranking: 4.5 out of 5
Tuner is a masterclass of both the creative and technical sides of film. As a pianist, I can think of very few movies that better utilize a piano in their main plot. A fantastic crime thriller and character drama with great twists and emotions, this is definitely one of my favorite films of the year thus far!
Interested in checking out some recent reviews for some recent thrillers!
Brighton Nelson
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