The Oscars are less than two weeks away where the heck did the time go?!
In our continuing coverage of this year’s Oscars, guest reviewer Fourth Wall Film Reviews has a look at Sound of Metal, nominated for six Oscars!
A heavy-metal drummer’s (Riz Ahmed) life is thrown into freefall when he begins to lose his hearing and his identity…
Although film is mostly a visual medium, some films come along and manage to evoke more than one sense. The ability to hear is something that many people take for granted; it’s always been with us. Sound of Metal is a transitional film — it shows us how the loss of a sense can completely change our identity. As Ruben slowly loses his hearing, we watch his world change around him, going from a heavy metal drummer to a vital part of his deaf community.
By far the films best feature is its portrayal of the deaf community. Most other films would portray the loss of hearing as a devastating loss to a person. Don’t get me wrong, the film shows the hardships of deafness, but it also promotes the uniqueness of the deaf community. As Ruben adjusts to his new life, he feels the warmth of the deaf community and the bond they all share. Moreover, the film doesn’t only focus on the negatives; it highlights how deaf people can thrive and even enjoy the stillness of life.
The film’s audio is flawless. It adds another element which elevates the entire movie. Instead of just showing us the difficult transition to deafness, the film’s audio makes us experience it ourselves, with anxiety-inducing moments that attempt to recreate the fear of losing such a vital sense.
The performance of Riz Ahmed is also noteworthy. Nuanced and low-key, he flawlessly creates a layered, complex drummer who’s life will be changed forever.
In the end, Sound of Metal is a film about the struggles that life throws at us and how we overcome them. But—more importantly—it’s a film about change: how, despite our struggles, we learn to adapt and thrive with what’s given to us.
Review: 9/10
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Favourite Quote: ‘Serenity is no longer wishing you had a different past.’
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