They Shot the Piano Player

PG-13

Now Playing

1h 43m

Drama

Music

Animation

Musical

TRAILER

for They Shot the Piano Player: Trailer 1

List

80%

45 Reviews

Tomatometer

73%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

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.

Read More

Read Less

Now in Theaters

Now Playing

Buy Tickets

In Theaters

Fandango at Home

Prime Video

Rent They Shot the Piano Player on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy it on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

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

Post a rating

Fernando Trueba

Director

Javier Mariscal

Director

Jeff Goldblum

Voice

João Gilberto

Voice

Caetano Veloso

Voice

Gilberto Gil

Voice

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

95%

88%

The Breadwinner

TRAILER

for The Breadwinner

71%

56%

Teen Spirit

TRAILER

for Teen Spirit

75%

73%

On the Come Up

TRAILER

for On the Come Up

100%

98%

Southern Gospel

TRAILER

for Southern Gospel

87%

76%

Yellow Rose

TRAILER

for Yellow Rose

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Rotten Tomatoes Predicts the 2024 Golden Globe Nominations

They Shot the Piano Player: Trailer 1

1:43

View more videos

View more photos

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

Bill Newcott

The Saturday Evening Post

The choice of animation as the medium for telling this somber story is an inspired one...the musical interludes fairly leap from the screen, an undulating riot of fiery reds, blazing yellows, and inky blues.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 5, 2024

Full Review

Ray Gill Jr.

Willamette Week

The film may be an unflinching look at a murderous past, but tragedy is juxtaposed with the joy of seeing an animated Ella Fitzgerald running barefoot through the streets... encapsulating the chaotic splendor and spirit of this cinematic gem.

Rated: 3/4

Apr 3, 2024

Full Review

Diane Carson

KDHX (St. Louis)

[A] compelling, toe-tapping historical record contrasting political repression with spirited music.

Apr 1, 2024

Full Review

Read all reviews

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: Nano Arrieta, Fabien Westerhoff
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): $57.8K
Runtime: 1h 43m
Aspect Ratio: Digital 2.39:1

Most Popular at Home Now