strong language, sex references
2019 ( USA ) ( Drama, Music ) (with English subtitles)
DIRECTOR: Darius Marder
STARRING: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci
Ruben (Riz Ahmed) is a punk-metal-experimental drummer and recovering heroin addict who finds the world crashing down on him when his hearing starts to go. Thanks to the genius sound design of Nicolas Becker, we hear what Ruben hears — a dull noise fading to nothingness. What’s left for Ruben is a rehab centre run by Vietnam vet Joe (Paul Raci), the hearing son of deaf parents. Joe, who works in deaf theatre and is fluent in American Sign Language, radiates a tough love that is funny, fierce and award-worthy.
This tale of a man who must fight his way out of the traps inside his own head emerges as one of the best and most-resonant films of the lockdown era. Ahmed, who spent months learning drumming and American Sign Language for the film, is a revelation. Also, Sound of Metal is presented with open captions, meaning that deaf and hearing audiences can experience the film together.
(2hr 0min)