August Wilson was a tremendous playwright whose work has touched generations, both on stage and on screen. We’ve seen two of his works previously adapted and now we get a third in The Piano Lesson, which comes from producer Denzel Washington.

But Denzel is hardly the only Washington attached to this project. It’s something of a family affair, with son Malcolm serving as director and his other son, John David, in one of the starring roles. It brings a complex and sometimes difficult play to life in a new film now streaming on Netflix.

The film is set in 1936, in the aftermath of the Great Depression in Pittsburgh. At the heart are a pair of siblings—Boy Willie (John David Washington) and Berenice (Danielle Deadwyler)—who are at odds over what to do with a piano. It’s more than just an instrument, it’s a part of their family history.

And the piano, as we learn, has a long history of its own. One generation of their family carved the family history into the piano. It is covered with images of their ancestors. But getting it back in their possession came at a cost as their father, Boy Charles (Stephan James), lost his life in the process.

Now, Berenice is committed to keeping it as a part of their family. She sees it as a part of their history and legacy. Boy Willie, meanwhile, sees what it could provide. He wants to sell the piano and use the proceeds to acquire the land their family used to work, this time as owners. The argument brings up the past, painful memories, and even ghosts as they decide a path forward.

It can be tricky to adapt a stage play to the screen because of the difference in medium. Often, to retain the heart you need long sequences of characters in rooms having discussions. We get that here. But Malcolm Washington also does a nice job of making it feel more cinematic than a straight up adaptation.

The use of flashbacks to bring the past to life, and some of the flourishes used during the emotional sequences of the film, particularly in the third act, give it some visual intrigue. It’s also blessed with a solid cast and a solid overall look that recreates the time period.

The supporting cast, which includes Samuel L. Jackson, Ray Fisher, and Corey Hawkins, among others, does a nice job. But it’s the leads, John David Washington and particularly Deadwyler, who crackle here. Their larger-than-life characters capture your attention and help dominate the screen.

I’ve enjoyed past Wilson adaptations, especially the fierce characters and performances in Fences and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. While I like the performances here, the story doesn’t always work in the same way. This is darker than those stories in some ways, but also harder to follow at times. It’s a solid adaptation but it doesn’t reach the heights of some other films based on Wilson’s work.

The Piano Lesson streams on Netflix beginning Friday, November 22.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.