Sound of Metal

I think that Sound of Metal should get a new PR team. For starters, the name of the film, especially combined with this poster, aren't accurate. 

I'm someone who cannot stand death metal music. I recognize there's talent within the instruments but the screaming vocals are like nails on a chalkboard to me and - if I'm being blunt - I think it's far and away the worst music genre. Music tends to be a little more subjective of art forms than others, so I don't judge others who enjoy it, but let's just say that queuing up this film was a, "What am I getting myself into?" moment. 

Within the first scene we're at a death metal concert, with our main character at the drums (clearly he's very talented) and some atrocious screaming vocals in the background. SO THANK THE LORD it was the single scene of the film where you're actually "treated" to this music. And tying back to my earlier comment on PR and advertising, this poster, name, (even the stills I found online) don't do this film justice in terms of what it's actually about. I know that I'm not the only one who's probably a little hesitant to start a film that looks like it's about a specific music genre that induces headaches, and I get the whole "judge a book by its cover" mantra, but the truth is that's what a lot of people do when shopping streaming sites. So if you're reading this review, let me counteract the confusing messaging - Sound of Metal is not a movie about death metal music or one that even contains a lot of it; it's a movie about deafness. 

Perhaps the above warning is overkill to some, but I imagine it's a helpful clarifying point for many others. Not to mention, if it gets even one more person to watch this film, that's a win because Sound of Metal is a very impressive movie. 

What would you do if you lost your hearing? What would you do if you lost your hearing suddenly? It's the core question that Sound of Metal introduces and dives into, immersing the viewer on the plight and fight of former rock-band drummer, Ruben (Riz Ahmed). To say too much about the overarching plot would hurt the film's effectiveness I think, but this is a compelling narrative about a single man trying to make his way through the toughness of losing one of his 5 senses completely. As some [often great] movies do, it made me feel like I was watching a novel unravel in front of me, page by page, with a compelling story that's about something. Sure, this is just about a single guy who's losing his hearing, but it's also something each viewer can relate to. Just ask yourself the two questions I started this paragraph and I'm sure you get a small dose of instant-anxiety just imagining it.

The sounds of wind through the grass, bugs buzzing, and tires on the pavement are all ones you'll appreciate more from a simple scene like this

Beyond just having a compelling narrative, Sound of Metal has three distinct things that add to its quality. The first is a powerhouse performance by Riz Ahmed as Ruben. Ruben's not an entirely likable character (though I didn't actively dislike him) but Ahmed is able to give him humanity, humility, and place us in the shoes of someone who lost their hearing. Other performances in the movie are all good at supporting Ruben, but he's in nearly every scene and its his story and Ahmed is a character that lives on the screen. 

Second and third are technical aspects that shouldn't be undersold. Sound of Metal's cinematography and editing are effective here. The editing lets scenes sit for a long time (the final scene is a perfect example of this) and the cinematography does wondrous work at capturing both normal scenes and scenes of nature and landscapes. They're both combined with the third and perhaps most impressive aspect of Sound of Metal: its sound editing. It comes into play in numerous ways, but drives an instrumental element of the movie: it's empathy. Using some substantial mixing techniques, we're shown how things sound through his ears at multiple points throughout his journey. It's effective, disorienting, and frightening. It's also there in the aforementioned cinematography, particularly of landscapes. Wind whistling through tall grass, birds fluttering between trees...it all seems like a cruel, but useful reminder to the audience of what you actually do with your ears: hear the world around you. 

Don't be like me and let the name and poster (or even the first scene) deter you from watching Sound of Metal. It's a very special movie that will stick with me long after I've watched it for a variety of reasons. And it's important it exists as a movie - despite stating that it unfolds like a novel - because of the technical aspects that put you in the character's shoes. It's those elements and moments that may just have you hearing things differently (and more appreciatively) in the coming days.

CONS

• Feels off in terms of marketing. Again - whole, "Don't judge a book by it's cover" - but I'm actively concerned more won't watch this because of it
• At times can feel directionless and meandering
• Other characters are never really fleshed out 

 PROS

• Riz Ahmed is a wonder here. Able to be a character going through this challenge that feels authentic while also bringing us along
• The narrative is compelling because it's easy for anyone to imagine and it all unfolds like a great novel
• Cinematography and editing is stellar, offering a "slow" film but one that you'll appreciate more given the circumstances
• Wow! On the sound editing. Some really cool stuff here that creates active empathy as you watch

Rath's Review Score | 9/10