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They Shot the Piano Player

Play trailer 1:43 Poster for They Shot the Piano Player PG-13 Released Oct 6, 2023 1h 43m Drama Music Animation Musical Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
A New York music journalist goes on a quest to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of young Brazilian piano virtuoso Tenorio Jr. A celebratory origin story of the world-renowned Latino musical movement Bossa Nova, They Shot The Piano Player captures a fleeting time bursting with creative freedom at a turning point in Latin American history in the 60s and 70s, just before the continent was engulfed by totalitarian regimes.
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They Shot the Piano Player

They Shot the Piano Player

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Critics Consensus

They Shot the Piano Player presents a moving look at a fascinating true story, although its aesthetic inventiveness isn't matched by its narrative approach.

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Critics Reviews

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Sergio Burstein Los Angeles Times The experimentation sometimes loses its rhythm, but both good music and emotional impacts are absolutely guaranteed. [Full review in Spanish] Mar 27, 2024 Full Review Bill Goodykoontz Arizona Republic Mariscal and Trueba unspool the story like a mystery. Rated: 4/5 Mar 8, 2024 Full Review Odie Henderson Boston Globe "They Shot the Piano Player" is a tribute to the musician and to those who knew him best. See it more than once, and hope the theater plays it loud. Rated: 3.5/4 Mar 8, 2024 Full Review Jose Solís Common Sense Media Infused with profound melancholy, the film might appeal more to parents, but its passionate storytelling might spark curiosity in younger viewers who will undoubtedly find how bossa nova influenced some of the music they jam to today. Aug 27, 2024 Full Review Diana Tuova Spotlight on Film The animation vividly introduces us to the great Brazilian pianist and the music scene of his time, but falls short of being an engaging investigation-focused drama. Rated: 3/5 Jul 18, 2024 Full Review Ray Pride Newcity A graphic novel come to liquid life... a limber, lissome beauty. Rated: 8/10 Jul 4, 2024 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Henrietta I loved the animation and color. I loved the music. I got a little tired of yet another person to listen to and read translation for, but I will see this film again. Very important for us to be forewarned about what can happen when a dictator takes over. Very good to find out about a person I had never heard of glad to know him now. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/24 Full Review John M THE FILM HAS INTERESTING HISTORY BUT THE DIALOGUE IS IN MOSTLY SPANISH AND PORTUGESE AND GOES SO FAST YOU MISS MOST OF IT Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/16/24 Full Review Irwin F It was ok, but not my jam. Animation was interesting. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 03/31/24 Full Review richie v CÓMO DESTRUYERON UN BUEN FUTURO Me consume por dentro el futuro, y su pasado, que a la vez, una parte es nuestro presente. Temo el cambio a la vez que lo necesito y puede que lo agradezca. Odio descubrir otra película, u otra canción ¿en que me pueden afectar? Calma no me da, en absoluto, afecta en la experimentación de universos llenos de emociones y placer, y eso no me tranquiliza, lo quiero pero a la vez intento apartarlo de mí, porque dicen que la ignorancia te hace más feliz, pero al mismo tiempo no me siento a gusto e incluso inútil. Si tanto odio estas contradicciones es porque mientras noto felicidad, la tristeza interfiere, desde aspectos felices e incluso tristes, me ahogo en más melancolía. No me parece algo malo, me siento vivo, y, vuelvo a repetir, a la vez que muerto, ya no siento nada. Solo con un álbum, Tenorio Jr revolucionaría la música jazz creando una magia incomprensible de lo bonito que creaba. Lo mismo ocurre con los artistas que aparecen contando su relación con el protagonista, desde compañeros de la música hasta algún artista literario. Trueba y Javier aciertan en todo lo que le conviene a este magnífico e imparable drama político, también en esencia a un documental. Reparan los agujeros y heridas de lo desconocido y las ilógicas contradicciones del caso. Javier Mariscal vuelve a conseguir un dibujo diferente al resto y conquistador, cómo en Chico y Rita (2010), destaca en su volúmen, colores y en general todo ese arte que le corresponde. El interés aquí podría terminar por muchos nombres e idiomas que se proyectan, pero lo que sostiene su atracción son la cantidad de declaraciones de los conocidos y la previsible conclusión de lo ocurrido, de tono arisco y tentándome a la misantropía. Una historia preciosa llena de tragedia que está tan bien narrada que salgo estupefacto, también algo desmoronado por la situación a la que se le sometió un hombre que daba vida a la música, que desprendía sabiduría y amor para aquellos con buen gusto. Él solo se iba a dedicar a tocar el piano y a sus seres queridos, sin la más mínima importancia a lo demás: la política. Él, cómo muchos otros, no ha muerto, solo se ha ido a por comida y una medicina para su chica, mientras tanto, le esperaremos escuchando su conmovedora música. Tan bella que reluce desde la oscuridad dónde lo mataron. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 10/28/23 Full Review Read all reviews
They Shot the Piano Player

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Movie Info

Synopsis A New York music journalist goes on a quest to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of young Brazilian piano virtuoso Tenorio Jr. A celebratory origin story of the world-renowned Latino musical movement Bossa Nova, They Shot The Piano Player captures a fleeting time bursting with creative freedom at a turning point in Latin American history in the 60s and 70s, just before the continent was engulfed by totalitarian regimes.
Director
Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal
Producer
Cristina Huete, Serge Lalou, Sophie Cabon, Bruno Felix, Janneke van de Kerkhof, Femke Wolting, Humberto Santana
Screenwriter
Fernando Trueba
Distributor
Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co
Constellation Productions, Prima Linea Productions, Fernando Trueba Producciones Cinematográficas, Les Films d'ici Méditerranée, Gao Shan Pictures, Submarine
Rating
PG-13 (Smoking and Some Violence)
Genre
Drama, Music, Animation, Musical
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 6, 2023, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA)
$59.6K
Runtime
1h 43m
Aspect Ratio
Digital 2.39:1
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