Riz Ahmed gives the performance of a lifetime, as a man struggling to come to terms with the sudden “disability” that has afflicted him.
A premise as creative as this deserves a performance to match it – powerful and unique. Riz Ahmed delivers as Ruben Stone, the heavy metal drummer and former addict who’s hearing is slowly deteriorating, leading to a desperate struggle amidst the realization that his true passions in life – his drumming and the music – is something he must let go of… involuntarily. Sound of Metal is the joint creation of director/writer Darius Marder (known to some audiences as the writer of A Place Beyond the Pines) and co-writer Derek Cianfrance (known as the director of that previous film, among others). This is a story about growth and the development of an identity, becoming assured and confident again with a centrally strong performance leading it, which lets the film soar.
This film really does have a lot going for it; fantastic performances from Ahmed and Paul Raci (both men nominated for Oscars for their roles) who are incredibly emotional when together. What makes the film utterly unique though is the sound design, straight from the opening scenes – the masterful creation of Nicolas Becker – a character itself; it is succinct and important, detailed, and gorgeous. Then there is the editing, the fabulously creative editing by Mikkel Nielsen that illuminates the film to an even higher level, both men fully justifying their Oscar wins in Sound Design and Editing with great aplomb. This Best Picture nomination truly is one of the films of the year (yes, I know we are only a few months in).
Sound of Metal begins with Ruben, who is about to take to the stage with his band Blackgammon, a heavy metal band consisting of him and his singer/girlfriend Lou Berger (Olivia Cooke) who live and travel the country in a motorhome. The sound design comes into effect straight away – as Ruben makes breakfast one morning – the magnified sounds of creaking bones and dripping coffee that foreshadow things to come. Ruben’s hearing starts to deteriorate, with doctors telling him that it will be a matter of time until he has lost most of his hearing (not really what a superstar drummer wants to hear now is it). Unable to afford the staggering price of artificial implants, Ruben learns of a retreat for deaf former addicts, ran by Joe (Paul Raci) who happily invites him to stay, offering him the chance to come to terms with his “disability”.
As time goes by and Ruben begins to adjust to his life in the commune as well as coming to terms with his impairment, this new positivity even allows him to learn American Sign Language – with slight embarrassment to begin with as he is thrust into a kid’s class – helped along by his wonderful teacher Dianne (Lauren Ridloff). With Ruben seamlessly merging his life into this new one, seemingly settled with his new adjustment, there is still something incomplete about him. Will Ruben ever get to experience his burning passion for music again? Whatever happens with Ruben, he is at an identity crossroads that new friendships and new paths are not able to sway him away from, leading to some truly emotional realizations that are too far developed to be able to change.
Sound of Metal is truly a mesmeric piece of art, all the factors integrate so effortlessly and poetically that the outcome is a joy for the senses. Riz Ahmed is brilliantly authentic – the hours he spent learning the drums and sign language truly paid off. Paul Raci is also sublime and gives an incredibly real performance, his calmness is the perfect foil for Ahmed’s erratic character. The representation of being deaf is very tranquil, showing deafness as a gift instead of a hindrance, which is truly the message that was intended. Sound of Metal is as good as gets really, it will make you smile; it will shock you and may even make you cry, but one thing you can rely on, it will blow you away.
Available to watch on Amazon Prime now.
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