John David Washington, Malcolm Washington and executive producer Katia Washington — worked together to film “The Piano Lesson.”

Samuel L. Jackson's return to "The Piano Lesson" helps transform August Wilson's play into a contemporary cinematic experience.

The father produces, son Malcolm Washington directs, and son John David Washington stars in a worthy film version of the profound August Wilson play.

By now, John David Washington has established himself as an actor to the extent that he can afford to do something he has not done before: give a Denzel Washington performance. While it’s an incalculable advantage for an actor to have a hugely successful movie-star father,

Produced by Denzel Washington and directed by and starring his sons, Malcolm and John David, this scintillating adaptation of August Wilson’s play centers on a piano that becomes a symbol of both opportunity and oppression.