The deaf community is a community that deserves to be represented on screen, just like a specific race or gender gets treated, and over the past number of years there has been a few movies depict this culture in a meaningful way. Movies like A Quiet Place or Hush aren’t necessarily about deaf culture, but these are the kind of movies where the main set of characters are figures of this community and the handling of the sign language and communicating through facial expressions was handled beautifully. But however, there hasn’t been much movement for this kind of characterization in the grand scope of things. We’ve stated before how 2020 has been a rocky road for the entertainment industry, specifically for movies and how much of an impact the pandemic has had on movie theaters. No matter how big or small, every movie is meant to be seen on the big screen. There’s definitely enjoyment to be had if you watch any movie at home, but the experience in an auditorium with a giant screen and the best sound is something that’s irreplaceable. The experience you will have with Sound of Metal is one of the most soul crushing and beautiful experiences you’ll have in your entire lifetime. Sound of Metal is a heartbreaking and earth shattering experience that’s led by a gripping and powerful performance from Riz Ahmed. The representation of the deaf community is genuine, the sound design is impeccable and the overall force of this movie is gut wrenching and stunning
A movie like Whiplash looks more at the pain and serious work it takes to become a perfectionist at drumming where Sound of Metal approaches it from another angle. Sound of Metal approaches it from an angle where you’re already great at your profession, but to have that ripped away from you because of drastic change of your daily life. Ruben (Riz Ahmed), a heavy-metal drummer who is also one half of a metal duo with the singer and his girlfriend, Lou. While traveling from place to place in an RV, Lou and Ruben perform at gig after gig to keep their passions and lives afloat the best way they can. Things starts to take a massive turn when Ruben wakes up one morning and instantly realize that his ability to hear is fading away every hour of each day.
The best thing by far that Sound of Metal is the performance that’s given by Riz Ahmed. This is an actor that you’ve seen in other movies before. Whether you’re talking about his role in Venom, Nightcrawler, Rogue One or the critically acclaimed miniseries The Night Of, Riz Ahmed has shown solid acting chops in almost every piece of entertainment he’s featured in. Not only is his performance in Sound of Metal the best he’s ever given, it’s arguably the best and the most moving performance of 2020. The performance that Riz Ahmed gives in this movie is one that portrays the struggles of pain, redemption and addiction in one of the most stunning and impactful presentations that’s ever been shown on screen. The character of Ruben, while severely frustrated with his condition, learns so much about the deaf community in an organic and nuanced way that made this character wonderfully developed. And his embark on the deaf culture made the depiction of this community authentic, full of realism, heartfelt and sincere.
Riz Ahmed isn’t the only performance in Sound of Metal that’ll make an impression on you. Olivia Cooke (Ready Player One and Bates Motel) absolutely demolishes it as Lou, and adds an efficacious level of humanity and compassion. Every interaction between Lou and Ruben adds more depth and complexity to their relationship and the subject matter that’s at hand. These two showcase some of the best work that 2020 has to offer and this is easily their best work to date.
If Riz Ahmed’s performance wasn’t enough, the sound design in Sound of Metal is truly a work of art and if this movie doesn’t get any nomination for any of the Sound Design categories at next years Academy Awards, it’d be very appropriate to judge the Academy for making such a poor decision. The execution of the sound in this movie is some of the best that you may ever see due to how well it switches back from what we can hear to what a deaf person’s sense of hearing is like. Scenes where people are eating dinner together or scenes of Ruben walking in the street and conversing with Lou or another character would cut back and forth to show the powerful nature of perspective. Sound of Metal hauntingly displays the point of view of someone who looses their hearing that it starts to make you reconsider so much about people who are deaf.
If you’re looking for a movie that represents the deaf community in an insightful and meaningful way, Sound of Metal is that movie. If you’re in the mood that’s full of great performances, superb directing with poignance and one that’ll move you, Sound of Metal also happened to be that movie. Sound of Metal is an emotive and devastating tale, with an absorbing and mesmerizing performance from Riz Ahmed. Mank might have some stiff competition for being the best movie of the year because Sound of Metal might give it a run for its money. By the way, the ending of this movie will change your life.
My grade for Sound of Metal: A
Zane's take at the Cinema's 