WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for The Piano Lesson.
Netflix’s new historical dramaThe Piano Lessonfeatures a significant character named Crawley (Matrell Smith) who puts a wedge in the relationship between Bernice and Boy Willie. Directed by Malcolm Washington,The Piano Lessonis a film adaptation of the play of the same name written by August Wilson, who also wrote the original play that inspired the Academy Award-winning filmFences.The Piano Lesson’sensemble castis led by John David Washington (Tenet,The Creator), Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction,The Hateful Eight), Danielle Deadwyler (The Harder They Fall,Station Eleven), and Ray Fisher (True Detective,Justice League).
While the film and play are both deeply rooted in American history,The Piano Lessonis not based on a true storyor true people.The Piano Lessonhas opened up to strong reviews, earning an impressive Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 90%.The Piano Lessonmarks the feature film directorial debut of Malcolm Washington, the youngest son of Denzel Washington who directs his older brother John David Washington in the film. By the end ofThe Piano Lesson, Washington’s Boy Willie and Deadwyler’s Berniece are forced to confront the ghosts of their family’s past in the form of a slave owner named Sutter.
Crawley Was Berniece’s Husband Who Was Shot & Killed
A local sheriff shot and killed Crawley over stolen wood
During several heated and emotional moments in The Piano Lesson, Berniece, Boy Willie, and Lymon discuss the incident that happened years before that left a man named Crawley dead. Crawley was Berniece’s husband and the father of her child Maretha. During one of the most recent times that Boy Willie had come around to see Berniece, he and Lymon had asked Crawley for some help transporting a shipment of wood. While the circumstances surrounding how Boy Willie acquired the wood remain ambiguous,Crawley ended up being shot and killed by the local sheriff after he drew a gunon police.
It’s more than likely that Boy Willie and Lymon had stolen the stock of wood much like the watermelon cart that they arrived to Doaker’s house in Philadelphia with. Boy Willie even admits that he has been known to commit thievery and has sold stolen goods for profit. Lymon was also compliant in the ordeal and was seen laughing with Boy Willie about making money selling the watermelons they almost certainly stole. Berniece isn’t as concerned about Boy Willie’s criminal record as she is about the bad influence he had had on her and her family.She blames Boy Willie for getting Crawley involved in his misdeeds.
Why Berniece Blames Boy Willie For Crawley’s Death
For Berniece, it’s impossible to separate Boy Willie from Crawley’s death. She cannot accept that Crawley had willingly chosen to assist Boy Willie and Lymon in transporting the stolen wood and understood the risks in doing so, which is why he had a weapon on him in the first place.Berniece blames Boy Willie for involving Crawley in the first placebut Boy Willie and Lymon refuse to take responsibility for Crawley’s death. Berniece obviously is coming from a place of deep pain and uses Boy Willie as someone to blame. Boy Willie and Lymon had hoarded the wood in the first place but Crawley decided to help them and pull a gun on a sheriff.
Berniece’s grief over losing Crawley is a major theme of bothThe Piano Lessonplay and the film adaptation. It is the source of her distrust in Boy Willie and a main motivation for her to keep the family piano, knowing that like the wood, it had been stolen and could likely stir up trouble if revealed.Boy Willie comes around looking to sell that piano specifically, which sparks an intense emotional response from Berniecethat is rooted in her pain over losing Crawley. Berniece and Boy Willie’s father, Boy Charles, died after being caught stealing the piano. Berniece holds sentimental value for the piano for that reason but all Boy Willie can see at first is a way to purchase land in Mississippi.
How Crawley’s Death Affects Berniece’s Relationship With Avery & Lymon
Bernice is much less willing to embrace opportunity and trust others
The local preacher Avery expresses a clear interest in Berniece and even asks her to marry him in the film. Berniece tells him that she has too much going on to even consider Avery’s proposal even though he makes strong points about how he can provide a safe and happy life for her.Berniece likes Avery but doesn’t appear to be overly enthused about the prospect of being his wife, despite the perks of being a preacher’s wife. She does briefly accept the advances of Lymon but also restrains herself, still emotionally tied to Crawley’s death and her life-changing grief. Ultimately, Berniece becomes much less trusting after Crawley’s death but regains her strength by playing the piano at the end ofThe Piano Lesson.
The Piano Lesson
Cast
In The Piano Lesson, a brother and sister clash over selling a family heirloom piano—he sees it as a path to wealth, while she views it as a vital link to their heritage. Their uncle tries to mediate, but the conflict reveals deep truths about identity, legacy, and the past.
