“All I want to do is save my life.”
Life often sends a kicker, a plot twist seemingly to destroy any forward progress. That kicker might end a way of life, losing one’s identity.
Sound of Metal, led by British actors Riz Ahmed and Olivia Cooke, was released in theatres on November 20, 2020, by Amazon Studios, with a streaming release on partner company Amazon Prime Video just two weeks later. The film beautifully captures the struggle of heavy metal drummer Ruben (Ahmed) as he battles onsetting deafness and the journey that follows. A question is posed: do all things need fixing?
Ruben and his singer girlfriend Louise (Cooke) are on tour for their avant-garde band when Ruben finds the sounds of the instruments distorted while playing. Upon waking up the following day, he finds his hearing almost zero. He runs off to a local doctor, and the tests tell him that he has nothing left in terms of hearing, and it will continue to get rapidly worse. Cochlear implants range from $40,000 to $80,000, which is nearly impossible for someone living out of an RV and with few possessions.
The story follows Ruben’s journey of finding his self-worth; Louise has him go to a Deaf community where he can learn to live in his new reality, as well as work towards keeping his four-year sobriety, with illicit drugs and cigarettes having been his escape from high emotions.
Ahmed’s powerful performance beautifully builds the character of Ruben, giving the audience a perfect view into trying to give up all that is known and essentially restart life. The film demonstrates American Sign Language and shows what it takes for a newly Deaf person to acquire the skills needed to communicate.
Though initially coming in with walls up and a closed mind, Ruben begins to flow well in his new state, picking up ASL and helping out in a class of schoolchildren in the community. He appears comfortable in his new surroundings and journals daily alone to keep his growing zen. Many road bumps occur, and the temptations of acquiring implants lure Ruben’s mind despite his newfound stillness and what seems to be acceptance as a Deaf person.
Although it was only Darius Marder’s second directorial effort, his riveting piece reeled in the Best Sound and Best Film Editing awards at the 93rd Academy Awards in 2021, which honored many films like his that had flown under the radar due to the pandemic. Sound of Metal’s incorporation of various sounds, and even the lack of them, chills the viewer with its brilliance. Muffled noises show how frustrating it must be for Ruben and every other person who is hard of hearing. The blaring moments of heavy metal and then distorted melodies heard by Ruben also demonstrate the loss of something loved and how harrowing it can be. Accompanied by fantastic cinematography, the film gives a bright look into Ruben’s isolation and subsequent terrible moments during his mental recovery, leaving the audience ready to jump to help the deteriorating man and his pad of paper meant to write out his heart’s desires.
Whether Ruben accomplishes his goals and ends his self-love/improvement journey is up to the viewer. Is noise always the best, or should silence sometimes be accepted? Do all things need fixing? Ultimately, the film suggests that sometimes, the most remarkable growth comes from accepting life’s challenging, even painful, aspects. Sound of Metal couldn’t have demonstrated that better.
Final Notes
Rating: 9.5/10
It has a beautiful message and a riveting story, and it grabs you from the start. If you love a powerful theme and maybe even some motivation to accept you as you are, this is the film for you.
