I love it when I discover a movie I didn’t see coming, and it’s better than I expected. As summer movie season is just heating up, let me, um, tune you to a film by Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker Daniel Roher in his terrific narrative feature debut, TUNER.

The story revolves around a skilled piano tuner named Niki White (Leo Woodall) who suffers from hyperacusis, a rare hearing condition that makes normal sounds feel painfully loud and uncomfortable. Roher skillfully immerses viewers in a realm where even an ordinary sound can become quite painful to listen to. He’s been learning the ropes from his late father’s best friend, Harry Horowitz (Dustin Hoffman), who runs the piano-tuning business, but these days, it’s mostly Niki doing the heavy lifting. I really enjoy the chemistry between Niki and Harry; it gives off an odd couple vibe, even though they don’t actually live together. 

I appreciate how efficiently Roher directs the film. The opening credits do a great job of setting the scene, showcasing the daily grind of the Piano Tune & Repair business. They move from one wealthy client to another in New York City, giving us a peek into the lavish lifestyles of the 1%. Some clients hardly even play their grand pianos, yet they still want them tuned because a celebrity is set to perform at a fundraiser in their home (one client even drops the name of the piano legend, Billy Joel).

We quickly find out that Niki is not just a skilled piano tuner; he was once a talented pianist but can no longer play due to his disorder. He has to wear noise-cancelling headphones all the time, even at home. Later, we learn he has perfect pitch when he meets a passionate pianist named Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu) at a music conservatory. There’s a clear chemistry between them, even though they don’t get off on the right foot, and their interactions are a joy to watch.

Niki’s life takes a surprising turn when he encounters a group of Israelis led by Uri (Lior Raz), who use their security business to rob their rich clients. They rope Niki into their criminal activity once they discover that he’s got an uncanny ability to crack safes.

At first, I thought Tuner was adapted from a book, but it turns out Roher was inspired by a real-life piano tuner who is a friend of his wife. He co-wrote the script with Robert Ramsey, and I must say he has a real talent for storytelling, just like he does with documentaries. Tuner is a one-of-a-kind heist thriller blended with musical drama that rarely hits a flat note. I think this is Woodall’s finest performance since his breakout in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. He’s memorable even in bit parts in Nuremberg, but he gets a chance to shine in a leading role here.

The 29-year-old English actor is quite versatile and definitely has that star quality. Niki is instantly relatable and intriguing; there’s a certain melancholy in his blue eyes that makes you empathize with him right away. His heartfelt monologue where he tells Ruthie how his disorder holds him back from pursuing his musical aspirations is quite memorable.

It’s been a long time since I last saw Hoffman in anything, and it’s pretty funny to see him play an eccentric yet sweet octogenarian. At times Harry reminds me of his character in Rain Man, and there’s even a brief nod to that Oscar-winning film in the dialogue. This is the second time I’ve seen Liu; I first caught her in another music-themed movie, Power Ballad (my review coming later this week). Glad she has a much larger role here because she’s really talented. I’d love to see more of her in the future. French actor Jean Reno has a bit part as a famous composer, Maissner, whom Ruthie admires. The supporting cast is quite racially diverse, and one of the big heists in the third act features a group of Korean gangsters. 

The heist thriller and dramatic elements blend together well, so the tone doesn’t feel off. I’d say it leans more towards the drama, so heist movie fans might expect more action, but I like that the story is more character-driven. Without spoiling anything, Niki’s role in the heists also highlights his kindness towards Harry and his wife Marla (Tovah Feldshuh). It’s worth noting that Roher comes from a Jewish family with deep roots and a strong connection to his heritage, which is why there are important Jewish elements, like the Holocaust, that play a key role in the story.

I’m really impressed with Tuner. I’d say it’s the surprise highlight of the early summer season. It’s rare to see a crime drama that’s character-driven with a deep emotional core. Roher already scored an Oscar for his documentary, Navalny, but clearly he has a knack for narrative storytelling as well.