Page 25 - Boca ViewPointe - April '21

April 2021 Viewpointe, Page 25

Film Review: Sound Of Metal

By Nils A. Shapiro Original Screenplay, hope, to understanding ... to that perfect ending.
Best Film Editing As the film opens, we are exposed to a deafening,
There was a moment and Best Sound— frenzied heavy metal band’s onstage performance, with
as my wife, Linda, and I among a total of 112 the lead female singer, Lou (Olivia Cooke), a Janice
were watching this film nominations and Joplin-like screamer backed up even more dominantly
streaming on Amazon wins (with some by her boyfriend drummer, Ruben (Riz Ahmed), with
Prime when I turned to her results still to be lightning-fast hands blasting sounds from a circle of
and said, “What a perfect announced as of drums – with a soundtrack set at a level that ensures you
and poignant ending this this writing) at film won’t miss a beat!
would be.” And just then festivals and critics’ It’s understandable, then, when we soon learn that
the screen went dark, and awards globally. Ruben, the drummer, has been experiencing problems
the closing credits began The honors are well with his hearing. But when, after a hearing test, a doctor
to appear. deserved. informs him that he has lost more than half his hearing
It is the perfect final touch in director Darius Marden’s This is the story – and that it is a permanent, deteriorating condition that
masterful film, which has earned six nominations in of one man’s journey will soon leave him permanently deaf – Ruben is in denial
the upcoming 93rd Academy Awards ceremonies – for from shock and fear and decides to seek other alternatives.
Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best to denial and rage, to He arranges to sell his precious drums in order to have
expensive cochlear implants¸ even though his doctor has
stated that he is too far gone, and that they will not work.
Much of the film’s impact must be credited to its
technical sound effects excellence: From the time of
Ruben’s hearing test – and at other key moments– we
“hear” through Ruben’s ears and know what he is
experiencing.
His girlfriend, Lou, the singer, is completely
supportive in trying to help Ruben through his crisis.
Recognizing that his happiness as a drummer is what
has rescued him from a previous history as a drug addict,
she introduces him to her friend Joe (Paul Raci), a caring
and understanding man who runs a wonderful school and
community for the deaf of all ages, children and adults.
It is at this point that the film begins to soar in
its exploration of relationships – the “feel sorry for
myself” Ruben, whose attitude violates the community’s
philosophy that deafness is not an illness to be “fixed;”
the gradual understanding as Ruben learns American Sign
Language, begins to develop relationships with the others
... and the sensitivity and healing that develops.
The performances by Riz Ahmed (who learned
American Sign Language and how to play the drums for
this role) and Paul Raci, two actors with whom I had not
been previously very familiar, are absolutely brilliant,
and both are being recognized for awards worldwide for
their work in this film.

Finally, Ruben returns to Lou, who has now gone back
BUYER? Call Joe Young SELLER? to live with her wealthy father, Richard Berger (Mathieu
Amalric). It turns out that Lou’s father had opposed her
THIS IS THE MARKET YOU YOU NEED EXPOSURE & relationship with Ruben in the past, but now understands
that he made her happy and is willing to forgive and
HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR! AGGRESSIVE MARKETING! forget.
Which would all be fine ... except that, as I noted at
(561) 756-8508 (561) 756-8508 the opening of this review, the very last minute of this

Hope everyone is doing okay during these challenging times. I am here to assist any way I can. film changes everything, and left Linda and me (and
will likely leave you) sitting quietly, thinking about that
brilliant, meaningful, profound and perfect ending.

Get that Oscar ready. 
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