It's been quite a while since I have been emotionally convicted from watching a film, but this one right here?
This one went right into the feels, it resonated on a personal level. Sound of Metal is worthy of getting an Oscar win, because this was a movie that was conducted so wonderfully. The sound design is indescribable and what it does, is gut wrenching as it is heart- warming watching the main protagonist going through such dramatic changes in his life.
This is perhaps Riz Ahmed's best performance to date and a massive shout out to Paul Raci, who has to be a contender for best supporting actor. Also this film is not perfect by any means, but I think this was the first time I had watched a mainstream film about the d/Deaf community which wasn't a mockery, a pity party or showing any unwanted misconceptions about the community. That in itself is a step in the right direction, sounds like the mainstream world is learning (very slowly but surely).
Ruben Stone (played by Riz Ahmed) is a drummer that tours with his girlfriend, Lou (played by Olivia Cooke) they play heavy metal gigs together. It has been a big plus for them; things have been going well for the couple and there was possibility to record a new album. However one particular day, Ruben has his day and his life flipped upside down. He is getting ready to sound check for another gig and he finds that his hearing is gone, to the point where the sound is muffled. Probably a consequence of all the loud music he had played through. Resulting from this distressing news, Ruben finds himself alienated from the outside world, as he can't function properly and his ASL (American Sign Language) is non-existent.
This change in his life leads him to find solace in a centre for recovering deaf addicts, this was recommended to Ruben by his sponsor Hector. He embarks on a journey, in which he is having to learn ASL and drastically adjust to his life, whilst never being fully at peace with his deafness. For a while, he sees it as something that needs to be cured or fixed rather than it being his way of life and incorporating. Of course, he wants to do everything he can to fix it and through the breakdown of relationships (spoiler free!), Ruben had to finally realise the importance of stillness in his life and within himself.
Firstly, I have to say big kudos to the director, Darius Marder for the way in which he had incorporated the d/Deaf community, I think it was really clever and it was heart-warming. I do think there could have been more caution in how the scenes with the cochlear implants were approached, I do think it was a little too broad- however I did find it quite effective how they use sound distortion when Ruben try them on for the first time.
It gave me a jolt of a reminder, from when I first put hearing aids on for the first time, when I was seven. I was mesmerised, surprised, excited, confused and perhaps disappointed all in one. A lot of sound I didn’t realise I could hear, all missed out on in the span of seven years. The distorted sound resonated personally. The other fact that it took me a very long time to become at peace with my hearing impairment, that it wasn’t something to be cured or fixed. Rather it was something to embrace, I can still live my life how I want and appreciate what I have. Took me 17 years. Long time eh? Better late than never, is what I say.
I was really happy that they had casted deaf actors in the movie, particularly with Paul Raci who played the character Joe. He was used as a human being rather than someone being alienating or timid in that sense.
One thing I will point as well, is that this film highlights very well, that deafness does not mean silence, blackness in noise. It is more on muffled and distorted noises, that are present- it is an education. I do think there is a long way to go, but this seems to be a start.
I do understand that there are complaints, there wasn't a d/Deaf character used to portray Ruben and have a better representation and you know what? I agree with the complaints. Perhaps they should have used a different actor, whether it would have been carried the same way that it was by Riz Ahmed remains to be seen.
Sound of Metal highlights the complexities of being deaf and tries to push away from the stereotypes that for so long have alienated the d/Deaf community. For that alone this has my vote as one of the best films to come out of 2020. I would certainly recommend this to you and if you have watched it already, I would love to know what you have thought of this.
I shall bid you all adieu for another day, friends.
Till next time
Picture reference:
https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/sound-of-metal-review-riz-ahmed-1203337006/
https://choice.npr.org/index.html?origin=https://www.npr.org/2020/12/04/940810758/in-sound-of-metal-sudden-hearing-loss-sends-a-drummer-reeling
http://thefilmexperience.net/blog/2020/12/4/streaming-riz-ahmeds-star-ascends-in-sound-of-metal.html
https://www.yoursun.com/charlotte/features/sound-of-metal-a-moving-drama-about-deafness-and-addiction/article_a7b34aa7-236b-5c4c-a627-d010b028b038.html
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