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Sound of Metal

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Sound of Metal
Official release poster
Directed byDarius Marder
Screenplay by
  • Darius Marder
  • Abraham Marder
Story by
Produced by
  • Bert Hamelinck
  • Sacha Ben Harroche
  • Bill Benz
  • Kathy Benz
Starring
CinematographyDaniël Bouquet
Edited byMikkel E.G. Nielsen
Music by
  • Abraham Marder
  • Nicolas Becker
Production
companies
  • Caviar
  • Ward Four
Distributed byAmazon Studios
Release dates
  • September 6, 2019 (2019-09-06) (TIFF)
  • November 20, 2020 (2020-11-20) (United States)
Running time
120 minutes
CountryUnited States
Languages
Box office$11,695[1]

Sound of Metal is a 2019 American drama film directed and co-written by Darius Marder and starring Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci, Lauren Ridloff and Mathieu Amalric. It tells the story of a drummer who begins to lose his hearing.

The film had its world premiere in the Platform Prize program at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2019. It was released theatrically on November 20, 2020, and began streaming on Prime Video on December 4, 2020, by Amazon Studios. The film received critical acclaim, with praise for the performances of Ahmed and Raci, as well as the sound design. It was named one of the ten best films of 2020 by the American Film Institute[2] and by the National Board of Review, with Ahmed and Raci winning Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor, respectively.[3]

Plot

Ruben is a drummer and one half of the metal duo Blackgammon along with the singer, his girlfriend, Lou. They live in an RV while driving across the country to perform gigs. Ruben begins to suddenly lose his hearing. He goes to a pharmacy in order to figure out what is happening to him. The pharmacist refers him to a doctor that Ruben is able to see immediately. The doctor performs a hearing test and determines Ruben can only successfully hear 20-30 percent of words and his hearing will continue to deteriorate rapidly. He may be able to get cochlear implants to improve his hearing. However, the implants are very expensive and are not covered by insurance. The doctor suggests that Ruben must first eliminate all exposure to loud noises and after some time undergo further testing. In spite of this, Ruben continues to perform.

Lou finds out what is going on and wants to stop performing for Ruben's safety, but Ruben wants to continue. She is also concerned about his sobriety, as he is a recovering drug addict. They call his narcotics anonymous sponsor, Hector. Hector finds a place for deaf recovering addicts that accepts Ruben. It is a rural community run by a man named Joe, a recovering alcoholic who lost his hearing in the Vietnam War. Ruben leaves with Lou because they will not let her live there with him, and he is only concerned with getting the implant. Lou leaves and gets Ruben to go back to the community, as her main concern is his well-being.

Now back at Joe's community, Ruben begins to meet the other members, attend meetings, and settle into his new life. He is introduced to Diane, a teacher, and the children in her class. He also begins to learn American Sign Language. Joe tasks Ruben with writing endlessly and sitting peacefully, in an effort to be comfortable with the silence. Joe tells Ruben he will be doing the same, simultaneously. Ruben joins Diane's class and starts to connect with the children, as well as the rest of the community. He gives the children and Diane basic drumming lessons.

Up to this point, Ruben's stay has been sponsored by a church. Joe offers him a more permanent way of staying on and tells him to think about it. Ruben periodically uses the computer to check in on Lou and see what she is up to, discovering her to be experimenting with her own music in Paris. He gets his friend Jenn to sell his drums, sound board, and other music equipment. Ruben then sells his RV. He uses the money to get cochlear implant surgery. Ruben asks Joe if he can loan him money to buy back his RV while he awaits activation of the implant. Joe refuses, as the foundation of the community is built on the belief that deafness is not a handicap.

Once the cochlear implants are activated, they allow Ruben to hear. He is disappointed, however, to find that the implants cause irritating feedback that disrupt his attempts to regain his old way of life. Ruben flies to meet Lou at her wealthy father Richard's house in Belgium, where she has settled into a new lifestyle. Richard welcomes him and allows him to stay there. At a gathering, Lou and her father perform a duet, though Ruben's implants prevent him from enjoying it. Ruben and Lou discuss the possibility of playing music and touring again. Ruben notices this makes Lou anxious and tells her everything is OK and that she saved his life. Lou tells him that he saved hers too. The next morning, he wakes up, takes his things, and leaves while Lou is still sleeping. After being bothered yet again by the noises of feedback, he sits down outside and removes the cochlear implant processors, enjoying the silence.

Cast

Production

In January 2016, it was announced Dakota Johnson and Matthias Schoenaerts had joined the cast of the film, with Darius Marder directing.[4] In July 2018, it was announced Riz Ahmed and Olivia Cooke had joined the cast of the film, replacing Johnson and Schoenarts, alongside Mathieu Amalric.[5] A large number of the cast were hired from the deaf community.[6] To prepare for the film, Ahmed took six months of drum lessons and learned American Sign Language.[7] The film was shot in four weeks.[6]

Release

Sound of Metal had its world premiere in the Platform Prize program at the 2019 Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2019.[8] It also screened at the Zurich Film Festival[9] and the International Film Festival Rotterdam.[10] Amazon Studios acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film the week following its premiere.[11] It was originally scheduled to be released on August 14, 2020,[12] before being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was released theatrically on November 20, 2020 and streaming on Prime Video on December 4, 2020.[13]

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 96% based on 208 reviews, with a weighted average of 8.2/10. The site's critics consensus reads: "An evocative look at the experiences of the deaf community, Sound of Metal is brought to life by Riz Ahmed's passionate performance."[14] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 81 out of 100, based on 30 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[15]

John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter wrote, "Without romanticizing deafness, Sound of Metal makes a case for acceptance and for embracing the inevitability of unpredictable change."[16] David Fear of Rolling Stone praised Riz Ahmed's performance, commenting that "this film probably works best as a showcase for its star."[17] Norman Wilner of Now wrote, "The assaultive, near-experimental sound design goes a long way towards putting us in Ruben's head, but Ahmed's performance makes us understand his character with a clarity that eludes Ruben himself."[18] Eric Kohn of IndieWire gave the film a grade of A−, writing, "Ahmed's so believable that he keeps the suspense of the drama in play even as it pushes into contrived circumstances during the prolonged final act, and eventually takes a melodramatic plunge."[19]

Awards

The film won the Golden Eye for Best Film in the International Feature Film Competition category at the 15th Zurich Film Festival.[20][21]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
American Film Institute Awards February 26, 2021 Top 10 Movies of the Year Won [22]
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards December 13, 2020 Best Actor Riz Ahmed Runner-up [23]
Best Supporting Actor Paul Raci Won
Florida Film Critics Circle Awards December 21, 2020 Best Actor Riz Ahmed Nominated [24]
Best Supporting Actor Paul Raci Won
Gotham Independent Film Awards January 11, 2021 Best Actor Riz Ahmed Won
Golden Globe Awards February 28, 2021 Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama Riz Ahmed Pending [25]
Greater Western New York Film Association Awards December 31, 2020 Best Lead Actor Riz Ahmed Won [26]
Best Supporting Actor Paul Raci
Best Breakthrough Performance Paul Raci
Best Breakthrough Director Darius Marder
Best Picture Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Darius Marder and Abraham Marder
Best Editing Mikkel E.G. Nielsen
Independent Spirit Awards April 22, 2021 Best First Feature Sound of Metal Pending [27]
Best Male Lead Riz Ahmed Pending
Best Supporting Male Paul Raci Pending
Los Angeles Film Critics Association December 20, 2020 Best Actor Riz Ahmed Runner-up [28]
Best Supporting Actor Paul Raci Runner-up
National Board of Review January 26, 2021 Best Actor Riz Ahmed Won [29]
Best Supporting Actor Paul Raci Won
Top 10 Films of 2020 Sound of Metal Won
National Society of Film Critics January 9, 2021 Best Actor Riz Ahmed Runner-up [30]
Best Supporting Actor Paul Raci Won
Satellite Awards February 15, 2021 Best Motion Picture – Drama Sound of Metal Pending [31]
Best Director Darius Marder Pending
Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Riz Ahmed Pending
Best Sound (Editing and Mixing) Phillip Bladh, Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michelle Couttolenc, Carlos Cortés & Carolina Santana Pending
Screen Actors Guild Awards April 4, 2021 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role in a Motion Picture Riz Ahmed Pending [32]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Sound of Metal (2020)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
  2. ^ "'Soul,' 'Ma Rainey's' among AFI's top 10 films of the year". Associated Press. January 25, 2021. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  3. ^ "Spike Lee's 'Da 5 Bloods' Named Best Film Of 2020 By National Board Of Review". Deadline Hollywood. January 26, 2021. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (January 22, 2016). "Dakota Johnson & Matthias Schoenaerts Team For 'The Sound Of Metal'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  5. ^ Kroll, Justin (July 20, 2018). "Riz Ahmed and Olivia Cooke to Star in Music Drama 'Sound of Metal'". Variety. Archived from the original on August 28, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  6. ^ a b Clement, Nick (September 7, 2019). "Marder's Riz Ahmed-Starring 'Sound of Metal' Explores Deaf Identity". Variety. Archived from the original on September 9, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  7. ^ Blyth, Antonia (September 5, 2019). "In The "Profound & Universal" 'Sound Of Metal' Riz Ahmed Is A Drummer Facing Hearing Loss – Toronto". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 14, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  8. ^ Cohn, Eric (August 7, 2019). "Julie Delpy Made a Genetic Thriller and Riz Ahmed Is a Heavy Metal Drummer: TIFF Platform Highlights". IndieWire. Archived from the original on August 8, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  9. ^ Marder, Darius. "Sound of Metal". Zurich Film Festival. Archived from the original on September 22, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  10. ^ "Sound of Metal". International Film Festival Rotterdam. Archived from the original on February 1, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  11. ^ Lang, Brent; Donnelly, Matt (September 12, 2019). "Toronto: Amazon Nabs 'Sound of Metal' With Riz Ahmed". Variety. Archived from the original on September 13, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  12. ^ "Sound of Metal". The Numbers. Archived from the original on December 9, 2020. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  13. ^ Evangelista, Chris (September 9, 2020). "'Sound of Metal', Starring Riz Ahmed, Heads to Theaters in November, Amazon in December". SlashFilm. Archived from the original on October 2, 2020. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
  14. ^ "Sound of Metal (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Archived from the original on December 23, 2020. Retrieved January 24, 2021. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; December 9, 2020 suggested (help)
  15. ^ "Sound of Metal Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Archived from the original on November 22, 2020. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  16. ^ DeFore, John (September 8, 2019). "'Sound of Metal': Film Review | TIFF 2019". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 8, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  17. ^ Fear, David (September 7, 2019). "Toronto 2019: 'Sound of Metal' Gives Riz Ahmed a Perfect Showcase". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  18. ^ Wilner, Norman (September 11, 2019). "TIFF review: Sound Of Metal". Now. Archived from the original on September 14, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  19. ^ Kohn, Eric (September 7, 2019). "'Sound of Metal' Review: Riz Ahmed Is Brilliant as a Heavy Metal Drummer Who Goes Deaf". IndieWire. Archived from the original on September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  20. ^ "The Awards of the 15th Zurich Film Festival". Zurich Film Festival. October 5, 2019. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  21. ^ Don, Muriel Del (October 7, 2019). "Record audience numbers for the Zurich Film Festival". Cineuropa. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  22. ^ Thompson, Anne (January 25, 2021). "AFI's Top Films and TV of 2020 Include "Nomadland" and "Bridgerton," Plus Special Award for "Hamilton"". IndieWire. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  23. ^ Davis, Clayton (December 13, 2020). "'Nomadland' Named Best Picture at Boston Society of Film Critics Awards, Paul Raci and Yuh-jung Youn Among Winners". Variety. Archived from the original on December 16, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  24. ^ "2020 FFCC Winners". Florida Film Critics Circle. December 21, 2020. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  25. ^ France, Lisa Respers (February 3, 2020). "Golden Globes 2021: See the full list of nominees". CNN. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  26. ^ "AWARDS: Our 2020 Nominees". Greater WNY Film Critics Association. December 21, 2020. Archived from the original on January 1, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  27. ^ "'Minari,' 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always' Top 2021 Independent Spirit Award Nominations". Variety. January 26, 2021. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  28. ^ "L.A. Film Critics Association Names 'Small Axe' As Best Picture Of 2020; Carey Mulligan, Chadwick Boseman Honored With Acting AwardsList". Deadline Hollywood. December 20, 2020. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  29. ^ "National Board of Review Names 'Da 5 Bloods' Best Picture, Spike Lee Becomes Second Black Director Winner". Variety]]. January 26, 2021. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  30. ^ "'Nomadland' Named Best Picture by National Society of Film Critics". The Hollywood Reporter. January 9, 2021. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  31. ^ Van Blaricom, Mirjana (February 1, 2021). "25th Satellite Awards Nominees for Motion Pictures and Television Announced". International Press Academy. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  32. ^ France, Lisa Respers (February 4, 2020). "SAG Awards 2021: See the full list of nominees". CNN. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
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