Title: Sound of Metal
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Darius Marder
Starring: Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci
Runtime: 2 hrs

What It Is: Ruben (Ahmed) is a drummer in a hardcore punk band. His girlfriend Lou (Cooke) is the frontwoman and guitarist. When Ruben begins losing his hearing he does the only thing he should really not do…keep playing. As he continues his hearing finally does go out. Meaning his entire life is about to change. Now Ruben is in a recovery program for deaf and hard of hearing people. But will the demons in his head. The only thing he can hear win the day?

What We Think: Riz Ahmed is absolutely stellar. This is his best performance in a feature. This says something when you consider his incredible turn in Nightcrawler. He’s not alone. For her part, Olivia Cooke keeps delivering. Look at stuff like Me and Earl and the Dying Girl or Thoroughbreds. Here she’s Rubens backbone. What I think is incredible is the sound design here. You get a true insight into Ruben’s journey from someone with their hearing to completely deaf. Every second of the sounds here creates and keeps you in a world. Without a doubt, I walked away from this utterly dumbfounded by the effect it had on me. I saw the film in December and it hasn’t left me. The imprint on my mind is only matched by the one left on me spiritually.

Our Grade: A+, This is the best film of 2020 without a doubt. There’s absolute brilliance on display here. From the aforementioned sound design to the mixing. The acting and script are likewise phenomenal. An easy fine since it’s on Amazon Prime. One that you need to seek out immediately. Not one you will want to miss especially come Oscar time because Riz Ahmed is perhaps finally going to get the recognition he deserves.

Also extra EXTRA credit for the Youth of Today sweater….need.