THE HISTORY OF SOUND: 3 ½ STARS. “Scenes play out at their own tempo”
SYNOPSIS: In “The History of Sound,” a historical romantic drama starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, and now playing in theatres, college students Lionel (Mescal) and ethnomusicologist David (O’Connor) begin a romantic relationship over a shared love of music. Separated by World War One, they rekindle their romance post war as they travel through Maine recording traditional folk songs for posterity.
CAST: Paul Mescal, Josh O’Connor, Chris Cooper. Directed by Oliver Hermanus.
REVIEW: There is very little actual action in “The History of Sound.” Scenes play out at their own tempo, the restrained performances quietly pushing the movie along at a very deliberate pace.
The film’s real action lies in the emotional fireworks of yearning that light up every frame. A meandering study of love found and lost; it is understated to a fault but remains compelling because of the chemistry between Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor.
The beauty in their performances comes from what is left unsaid, what is implied between the two. The story is driven by looks of longing, self-contained emotions, long separations and stolen intimate moments between the two men. It gently dawdles along, punctuated by passionate performances of the folk songs that musically comment on the story.
The story is touched by tragedy, (NO SPOILERS HERE) but a soulful coda to the main story brings with it a sense of closure that is both bittersweet and beautiful. Set to a folk tune called The Silver Dagger—”Oh, who sits weeping on my grave, and will not let me sleep?”—ii is a powerful comment on the character’s (AGAIN NO SPOILERS HERE!) unresolved grief.
“The History of Sound” will be a bit too leisurely for some viewers, but, if you’re up for it, the deliberate pacing allows the audience to steep in the story, soaking up every nuanced moment between Mescal and O’Connor.
Comments are closed.
