Review: ‘Tuner’ gives Leo Woodall a symphony of possibilities

Thanks to a heightened hearing disorder, he can hear things most can’t. That proves helpful as a piano tuner. He works with a past-his-prime veteran (nicely played by Dustin Hoffman) and encounters Ruthie (Havana Rose Liu), a driven student who’s aiming for a coveted internship with a celebrated composer. The two find common ground and a way to fund their goals.

While on an assignment, Woodall’s Niki White discovers an ability to crack safes. That comes in handy when he needs money and, soon, he’s pulled into a group of Israeli thieves. One by one, they pull off heists, but not without Niki’s help.

He uses his take to help pay off his mentor’s hospital bills and thinks he’ll be out of the mix whenever he wants. The thieves, however, aren’t as forgiving. They pull him back in, just when he thinks he’s out.

Directed by Daniel Rohrer, “Tuner” has hints of “Sound of Metal” and “A Brilliant Mind,” but Woodall doesn’t let it get mired in technology. He explains his ailment and moves on. The relationship between Niki and Ruthie takes center stage and becomes a love song, not a heist caper.

Rohrer blends the two fairly well, but he needed more time for Hoffman. He’s still a scene stealer and source for one of the film’s many cinematic references.

After blasting an air horn in Niki’s ears, the lead thief could have killed his golden goose’s talent. Niki should have pretended that happened to rid him of the gang. Still, he plays out the story and gets a smile-inducing resolution.

Woodall makes Niki so sympathetic you long for Hoffman (or Tovah Feldshuh as his wife) to pull him aside and calm his fears. He’s excellent at conveying emotions without words.

When he finally gets the upper hand, we realize the brilliance that was present throughout.

“Tuner” strikes a comforting note.