Darius Marder’s Sound of Metal begins with an industrial metal duo in performance (shot live at the Middle East Club in Cambridge). The guitarist, Lou (Olivia Cooke), emits distorted guitar sounds matched by a vocal that is more primal scream than singing. The scars on her arm suggest that she has had a past of self-harm. Ruben (Riz Ahmed) a reformed heroin addict, is lean, bare-chested, and covered in tattoos. He fidgets restlessly at the drums. His chest reads ‘Please Kill Me,’ which is the title of a classic book on punk rock history. On cue, he launches into an assault on the kit, arms flailing, double bass drum pedals thundering out 16th notes at warp speed.
The film then abruptly cuts to silence. It is the following morning. The couple are in their Airstream trailer home where Ruben blends green smoothies, makes breakfast and coffee, exercises, and cleans their portable recording consul. Without warning, sounds around him become muffled, voices are indistinct. He realizes that he is losing his hearing
CONTINUE READING . . .
The film then abruptly cuts to silence. It is the following morning. The couple are in their Airstream trailer home where Ruben blends green smoothies, makes breakfast and coffee, exercises, and cleans their portable recording consul. Without warning, sounds around him become muffled, voices are indistinct. He realizes that he is losing his hearing
CONTINUE READING . . .