And the closing shot encapsulates a catharsis well-earned.Death brings out the best and worst in families. It's a long, difficult road, but Ruben shifts the narrative of his life from bemoaning what he's losing to embracing what he's gaining. 'Metal' captures well that for Ruben, like so many of us, you can't be pushed to someone else's vision of acceptance the truest form is a result of your unique, albeit stumbling journey, when you evolve organically from the steps (and missteps) you take. His performance, alongside Ahmed and Olivia Cooke - who's coping with her own aching past - screams awards consideration. It's invigorating to see the thriving lives and relationships of a deaf community credibly explored and Paul Raci is memorably tender as Joe, the recovery leader and beating heart of the tight-knit society. What often moved me throughout this was not necessarily what I was seeing directly on screen, but the implications of it all. This profound journey says a lot all at once and Darius Marder (alongside his brother and Derek Cianfrance) brilliantly scripts an arc that works on multiple levels - allegorically, spiritually, technically, humanely, all the ways. How do you battle for air when you're violently drowning? We can all be soul-deep addicts in our own way to something or another in our lives and the pain and confusion when you feel like you are being ripped from your identity can be all-consuming. The tumultuous lengths to which he will go to combat his deafness echo his heroin addict past I tragically saw much of Ruben in someone I used to know. Riz Ahmed nails the behavioral sand traps that keeps someone clinging and clawing at the bubble they're fixated on preserving. The sound design is astounding it captures the alienation, the disorientation, and the discovery of his circumstances in ways I couldnt've imagined and the effect is exciting, terrifying, and heartbreaking all at once. Sound of Metal is an immersive, sensitive, authentic and poignant drama with an Oscar-caliber lead performance and a depth of compassion for the many people of the deaf community.Įvocative as hell, ‘Sound of Metal' gets high marks for using the medium to maximum effect in illustrating metal drummer Ruben's grapple with imminent deafness. Paul Raci is also great as the leader of the treatment center and the responsibility and generosity he feels to those in his care. His eyes are his best vessel for communicating Ruben's emotional state, and Ahmed is sensational. Ahmed is fabulous in the lead role which requires him to rely primarily upon non-verbal expression for extended periods.
#TORN WINGS DARK RO MOVIE#
It's understandable that Ruben is focused on loss but the movie doesn't dwell in loss, more so transformation and acceptance. For many of the deaf, hearing loss isn't seen as a disability but a community with its own culture and quality of life. The movie is exquisitely thoughtful and considerate while maintaining a subtle, character-driven approach that keeps things grounded from wallowing in self-pity. The sound design is exceptionally utilized to illustrate Ruben's changing perspective, and some later choices with it might make you long for the peacefulness of silence. It's only after Ruben learns ASL, integrates into the community, and opens himself up to the program that we too get to be knowledgeable. When he first joins the center, we don't get subtitles for the many signed conversations between members. The movie is at its best during its quiet and contemplative moments where we empathize with the terror and alienation of Ruben. Ruben is defiant, depressed, angry, all the stages you can imagine with grief. He's attending a treatment center meant to cater to a deaf community and transition others into this community. Riz Ahmed (Nightcrawler) plays Ruben, a former junkie who is four years sober and worried about losing his girlfriend/band mate (Olivia Cooke) with his recent diagnosis.
I don't think I've better empathized with hearing loss and deafness than with Sound of Metal, a moving and observant drama about a heavy metal drummer quickly losing his sense of hearing.