Sound of Metal (2019)

When I began watching this, I felt a deep wave of anxiety sweep over me. The noise, the visuals, the characters, and their situation. At one point, I started self-diagnosing myself of having problematic hearing as I read the captions come on the screen. This film does a great job instilling the fear of losing something so invaluable as your hearing - particularly when your life revolves around it; however, it’s redeeming quality is doing an even better job in highlighting the pricelessness of tranquility. 

Ironically, one of my friends watching half of this with me and asked me why I can’t just be still - why I have to “always be doing something?” Looking back, I realized what a great job the crew did in invoking the stress of hearing loss. I read another review mentioning the 5 stages of grief portrayed in this so accurately - I agree and applaud. It was fantastically crafted and the acting was superb by EVERYONE! (Side note: I geeked out seeing Olivia Cooke - or Rachel - as one of the other film choices of the night was Me and Earl and The Dying Girl)

 Even the shaky visuals begin to soften as Ruben learns to find peace in stillness. Great job by the sound team, editors, and actors to allow every part of the rollercoaster of grief to be fully felt. I haven’t seen a film that’s invoked that in me in a while. 

EXTRA side note: I read another review by a drummer who is experiencing something similar to Ruben. Wow. If reviews could win awards.