Sound of Metal

Directed by Darius Marder, Sound of Metal follows heavy-metal drummer Ruben Stone (Riz Ahmed) as he suddenly loses his hearing and subsequently attempts to adjust to a new way of life. It’s a compelling premise that’s employed to erratic yet mostly compelling effect by Marder, as the filmmaker, working from a script written with Abraham Marder, delivers a slow-paced character study that is, for the most part, elevated considerably by Ahmed’s frequently spellbinding performance – as the actor does a superb job of portraying Ruben’s journey from a confident rock star to an individual struggling with his new (and life-changing) circumstances. It’s magnetic, engrossing work that undoubtedly goes a long way towards smoothing over the narrative’s periodic bumps and missteps, including a less-than-subtle subplot detailing Ruben’s fractured relationship with Olivia Cooke’s Lou, and there’s little doubt, as well, that Sound of Metal benefits substantially from sound design that effectively (and authentically) allows the viewer to hear the world as Ruben is hearing it. By the time the stirring (and deeply satisfying) finale rolls around, Sound of Metal has cemented its place as a predominantly successful effort that confirms Ahmed’s place as one of his generation’s most promising up-and-coming actors.

***1/2 out of ****