*Insert Rimshot Sound Here*…yeah, for someone who generally despises puns, I sure do make a lot of them …oh well
*Note: This Review is my first one back after an unintentionally hiatus, so for whoever’s curious, please feel free to read my ‘Return Post’ on why I was gone for so long. I’ll leave a link right here for those interested: https://spinningthecineweb.com/?p=319*
Hey Everyone! For my first review back on Spinning the Cineweb (*Squeas in happiness!*), I am going to being taking a look at an actual new release on Amazon Prime Video in the form of Sound of Metal. Now, for those unfamiliar with my *clearly official* policy on movie summaries, let me give all of you potential newcomers a quick rundown… NOPE! I prefer to get right into the action so here’s the link for the IMDb page and let’s GET IT ON: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5363618/
Well, when I say “actual new release”, that might seem like there hasn’t been any new releases when, if you really think about it, there’s still been a good chunk of new releases. Of course, not many have released in theatres with audiences being understandably hesitant still being in the pandemic that shall not be named (on a side note, I have all of my fingers crossed that theatres will be able to survive once the world gets a little less crappy). Rather, a lot of streaming services or movies released on VOD have been taking up the spotlight for this year–whether it be from the obvious heavy hitters like Netflix or Universal with the VOD releases, or less-popular like the few people who remember Apple TV + exists for something like Sophia Coppola’s On the Rocks… guilty!
Anyway, I’m getting way off-topic (which for me, is like saying the sky is blue… I talk a lot!)–all of that *clearly related* discussion brings us (implying I’m not just writing this for myself) to one of Amazon’s biggest Oscar Contenders in the form of Sound of Metal. That obviously begs the question (I think?!): is this movie worthy of being in the Oscars race?! Well, in case you couldn’t tell from the title of this post, HELL YEAH!!! Sound of Metal is absolutely a great film that I think should definitely be deserving of a lot praise when Awards seasons comes.
Well, to be honest, I don’t think there’s any other place you could start other than the sound in a movie LITERALLY CALLED Sound of Metal. (It’d be like ignoring the main character in oh I don’t know, Harry Potter!) So yeah, everything about the sound of this film is nothing short of extraordinary! Not even just in the more obvious, extremely polished things like how the ambient noises are very pwwetty and how the hard-metal music the characters are playing on-screen feels as intense as it should be; here, the filmmakers were actually able to use the sound of the film to bring you into Ruben’s (the main character) perspective as he deals with his hearing loss. The way they have brief instances strictly delve into Rube’s auditory world (as he struggles to make out simple words with how bad his hearing becomes) and then cleverly switch over to what everything actually sounds like acted as a beautiful storytelling subtlety that I adored.
I think it’s safe that I haven’t seen or I mean, heard anything like this film thus far in my cinematic viewing experiences. Ayy… I guess with a movie like this, it’s hard to avoid/resist those unintentional puns… um, so moving onto the performances! (What, that wasn’t a forced transition, you’re crazy reader who I may or not be imagining in my head)
Obviously, the biggest standout of the film acting wise would be Riz Ahmed in the lead as he is incredible in this film! If I’m not mistaken, this is really his first big-time leading role (after a great supporting in Rogue One and a uh, not so-great choice in Venom) and he definitely killed it in bringing Ruben’s journey to life. At the start, you immediately buy that he is a drummer who follows his passion for music. Once his hearing begins to deteriorate, you can immediately connect to what he’s going through. And as the story goes along (without spoiling anything), you are somehow able to completely understand every surprising decision Ruben makes from the way Ahmed completely immersed into the head of this character.
But wait, there’s more (always wanted to say that!) as that high quality of acting doesn’t just stop there. Olivia Cooke also has a powerful performance even with the limited amount of screen time she has alongside other supporting performer Paul Raci, whose quiet guidance leads to some touching moments with his interactions with Ahmed (and the same goes for Cooke as well). So yeah, even though I would put most of my Oscar eggs in Riz Ahmed’s basket for acting, the entire cast did an excellent job at portraying such a profound story. (That analogy made sense, right?!?!?! …ok I’ll move on now)
Of course, the thing that makes Sound of Metal stand out the most is the thing I just mentioned: the story (Holy Transitions Batman!). Everyone on this filmmaking team had some really excellent storytelling abilities with how they managed to put a spotlight on something that a lot of people experience (referring to Ruben’s struggles with hearing loss), when as far as I’m aware, you rarely see those stories told in most films, mainstream or otherwise. But in the way that writer and director Darius Marder and his team told it with such sensitivity, subtlety (which always deserves bonus points in my books), believability, and class was truly engaging to watch at every step they took with the story.
Honestly, with a film that has so many exceptional qualities throughout, it feels really awkward anything remotely critical on it. But, ’tis the job of a film critic to acknowledge the good, bad, and ugly of everything I see (on top of references like the one I just made ;)). The first thing that’s not even an issue in my books more of a thing to note is how at the start, I was a little surprised and unsure of why they didn’t cut to Ruben’s sound perspective more than they did. I eventually figured it out and understand the decision now, but it’s just something to think about it I guess. Also, the pacing of the film does feel odd at points with how I wish some story segments got more time to develop, with others receiving less to create a slightly better balance throughout.
Again, those issues are nowhere near bad enough to take away from the undeniable greatness that lies within Sound of Metal. For anyone with Amazon Prime Video and an interest in watching great (hopefully Oscar-contending) movies, then I could not recommend this movie enough as it is a poignant treat for the eyes and more importantly, the ears.
Rating: 9/10, it’s a powerful story on the loss of hearing, and I loved it!!!
Phew! Boy does it feel good to be back to not only watching great movies (seriously, Sound of Metal is easily in my top 10 for the year so far), but also just to write for this blog again. Whether you checked out my update post on my unintentional hiatus or not, I would like to re-mention how I am not positive on whether or not I’ll be able to keep a consistent schedule for my Spinning the Cineweb (trademarked… I think?!) reviews. If I can get to that point, I’ll let you know. But for now, I’ll do whatever can to write when I can on some cool, or not so cool movies!
With all that said, if you have seen this movie, what did you think of it?! Or if you haven’t, then are you now looking forward to it?! Either way, feel free to let me know about it in the comments below. And as always, I think you should all know who I am at this point…
I’m Alex, Your Friendly Neighborhood Film Nerd!!!
Spinning the Cineweb 