Tuner tunes into to fun characters

Sometimes having fun means playing “Let’s Pretend. That’s how it works for Tuner, about a guy whose sensitive hearing helps him keep pianos playing well. Co-writing the screenplay with Robert Ramsey, director Daniel Roher says “Let’s Pretend ultra wealthy people still use outdated safes with audible mechanical locking systems.” The writers add in, “Let’s pretend you can make a hospital payment with $10,000 cash, no questions asked.” And for that matter, “Let’s pretend the IRS won’t notice that ten-grand plus a whole lot more.”  Those make pretty big plot holes to speed over without a hitch but ignoring them means the chance to enjoy a likeable protagonist in a world that includes terrific music plus some armchair travel to Manhattan. Leo Woodal, love interest in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, expands his appeal as the title tuner, a good-hearted guy whose pitch perfect musical career ends with a condition that forces him to wear noise cancelling headphones. Special gear lets him work with Dustin Hoffman as a tuner to jazz legends, concert pianists, and uber wealthy people who hold giant parties in magnificent mansions. Hoffman rolls smoothly into a lovable curmudgeon, with no need for scene stealing gimmicks since his presence alone ups the game. Other recognizable faces from Tovah Feldshuh and Jean Reno contribute both classy and fun touches to a project tuned into the value of finding people to care about.