Riz Ahmed ("Venom", "Nightcrawler") gives the performance of a lifetime in this captivating drama from Amazon Studios. Ahmed portrays Ruben, a recovering drug addict and the drummer of a heavy metal rock band, who begins to experience hearing loss and realizes that his life is going to change forever. With the encouragement of his girlfriend Lou (Olivia Cooke), Ruben stays at a secluded recovery house with other deaf individuals and begins his own personal journey of finding meaning, purpose and acceptance in his different and new, yet still beautiful, life.
"Sound of Metal" is my personal favorite of 2020, because it is truly beautiful and it is unlike anything I have ever seen on screen before. Ahmed's performance is deeply moving and profound, and his character's transformation through the film is a wonderful and unforgettable thing to witness. Olivia Cooke and Paul Raci provide amazing supporting performances as well, particularly Raci, who portrays the caring mentor of Ruben's support group. One of the most fascinating elements of this movie is the sound design, which fluctuates throughout the story from its deafening loudness to complete silence. In his directorial debut, Darius Marder provides a powerful and intimate look into the experiences of the deaf community, and a remarkable film that teaches the importance of never losing hope and embracing the beauty and blessing of life itself.
Rating: 5/5
