Reviews

Leo Woodall has been establishing himself as one to watch on television in recent years, thanks to shows like One Day and The White Lotus, and he’s now making the transition to film star.

In his first leading movie role in Tuner, the British actor plays piano-tuning apprentice Niki White, who works for Harry Horowitz (Dustin Hoffman), a friend of his late father, in New York City.

Niki suffers from hyperacusis – or a sensitivity to sound – and has to always wear ear protection. While the condition is a huge inconvenience in his daily life, it also gives him special skills – he discovers a hidden talent for safe-cracking.

In desperate need of money, Niki strikes up an alliance with a group of criminals led by Uri (Lior Raz), who steal cash and valuables from the safes of their wealthy clients.

After a while – and after a few close shaves – Niki wants out of the illegal scheme. But that would ruin the efficiency of their heists, so naturally, Uri and co. don’t want to let their safecracker go. And they are willing to use dangerous means to make him stay.

Tuner blends a mix of genres, from buddy comedy to heist movie, crime thriller and romance. The buddy comedy section comes first, with Woodall and Hoffman brilliantly bouncing off each other as the piano-tuning duo. They have a wonderful rapport and dynamic, and their introduction is edited very well.

But once Niki meets Uri and co., the heist movie genre is set in motion, and director Daniel Roher starts planting the seeds for the thriller element, building the stakes and sense of threat and danger, ready for when Niki tries to leave the criminal gang.

And we can’t forget about the romance subplot, featuring Niki’s blossoming relationship with gifted pianist and music student Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu). Through this storyline, we get a fuller picture of Niki as a person and understand why he wants out of his illegal side hustle. And it wouldn’t be a true thriller if it didn’t collide with the romance story at some point!

It is very easy to make comparisons between Tuner and Edgar Wright’s 2017 crime comedy-drama Baby Driver. After all, they have quite a similar concept in that the leads have abnormal hearing and work with criminals. However, in Baby Driver, Ansel Elgort’s character has tinnitus and is a getaway driver, not a safe-cracker with hyperacusis.

Tuner falls short when held up against Baby Driver, but it deserves to be judged on its own merits. It is a gripping, entertaining and often funny thriller with an impressive sound design to help put us in Niki’s shoes. Plus, Woodall delivers yet another charming performance that is sure to secure him more leading man roles.

In cinemas from Friday 29th May

By Hannah Wales

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