By Paul Hall
Pete Townshend (The Who), Neil Young, Brian Johnson (AC/DC), Sting, Ozzy Osbourne and even Huey Lewis have publicly acknowledged various amounts of hearing loss due to exposure to loud music. In Sound of Metal, we get to see a less well-known musician, who may not ever perform in front of thousands, deal with the harsh reality of hearing loss.
Ruben (Riz Ahmed) is touring the country with his girlfriend Lou (Olivia Cooke) and their band. It’s small gigs, but they make the trek from city to city in their motorhome. They are not only the talent but also the roadie and marketing team for their band’s tour. What little money they make helps them survive, but when Ruben experiences a catastrophic loss of hearing, life will never be the same.
The hearing doesn’t go all at once for Ruben. Sounds have been getting muffled and filled with static for a number of moments before the final blow, but while playing one night he realizes that it has finally given out and walks off stage. Ruben wants to push through the tour playing from memory as a “click track.” Lou knows they need to enlist help if they are ever to have a somewhat normal life in the future.
Ruben was once a heroin addict, but has been clean for years. With the added stress of hearing loss in his life, Lou fears for the worst and directs Ruben to a group home. Can this new community of friends help him cope with his current circumstances, or will the allure of the metal lifestyle get the best of him?
This film stands or falls based on Ahmed. And I’m happy to say that his performance is a winner at every turn. In a film that relies equally on sound and the lack thereof, Ahmed’s most subtle moments become essential. His gestures give us both hope and optimism at one moment while in the next scene delivering a feeling of hopelessness and despair. I was totally invested in Ruben’s life and that was because of Ahmed’s meticulous work.
The sound was mind-blowing. One moment features the rock music of the band turned up to a volume of 10 while the next is muffled before transitioning to pure silence. We feel Ruben’s struggles through many of the onscreen cues. The static annoys us as it does Ruben, and the silence is unsettling for both the audience and Ruben.
Sound of Metal can be a tough watch at times. Ruben’s journey into his new life is difficult and his struggles are real. Ahmed’s performance is worth watching, and if you want a real surreal experience, this film with headphones will captivate your eyes and your ears. Turn it up and enjoy the show — just not too loud.
Paul’s Grade: B+
Sound Of Metal
Rated R
Stars: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci
Director: Darius Marder
