The History of Sound: A Melancholic Masterpiece of Love and Music
The highly anticipated film, The History of Sound, has made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival, leaving audiences and critics alike in awe of its poignant portrayal of love, music, and heartache. According to a review by The Hollywood Reporter, the film, directed by Oliver Hermanus, is a "stirring music to feed the soul" that explores the tender but fleeting gay love affair between two men, Lionel and David, set against the backdrop of World War I.
The film, adapted by Ben Shattuck from his short story of the same name, follows the journey of Lionel, played by Paul Mescal, a Kentucky farm boy with a unique gift for identifying music in everyday life. His life takes a dramatic turn when he meets David, played by Josh O’Connor, a sophisticated pianist with a passion for collecting traditional folk tunes and ballads. As they travel through the backwoods of Maine in 1919, collecting music from rural people, their romance blossoms, intensified by the intimate experience they share.
Hermanus, who had a breakthrough in 2019 with Moffie, a searing indictment of institutionalized homophobia in the Apartheid-era military, has taken a more subdued approach with The History of Sound. His collaboration with cinematographer Alexander Dynan results in a film that is "viewed through a painterly lens, with an elegant sense of composition and spatial dynamics and images that look frequently like they could have been ripped right out of an Andrew Wyeth painting," as noted by The Hollywood Reporter.
The film’s pacing may be challenging for some viewers, with some walkouts reported during its first Cannes press screening. However, as The Hollywood Reporter notes, "if you tap into The History of Sound‘s soulful undercurrents, the soaring spiritual dimensions of the music… and the depth of feeling in Mescal and O’Connor’s performances, this is a film of lingering melancholic beauty."
The chemistry between Mescal and O’Connor is undeniable, with their performances described by The Hollywood Reporter as "superb." The film’s portrayal of their love story is refreshingly free from the repression and shame often associated with queer period pieces. Instead, it’s a story about an instantaneous and enduring connection, anchored as much in music as in sexual attraction or romantic love.
The film’s use of music is a highlight, with a score by Oliver Coates that is "without exception sublime," according to The Hollywood Reporter. The music interludes, sung by O’Connor and Mescal, range from expressions of sorrow or love to murder ballads and folk tunes.
As the story unfolds, Lionel and David’s love is put to the test when David is drafted into World War I. The film’s portrayal of their separation and Lionel’s poignant recollections of their time together is both heart-wrenching and beautiful. The supporting cast, including Chris Cooper as an older Lionel, adds depth to the film’s narrative.
In conclusion, The History of Sound is a masterpiece of love and music that is not to be missed. With its poignant portrayal of love, heartache, and the power of music, this film is sure to leave audiences moved and inspired. As The Hollywood Reporter notes, "the power of the music alone makes it one of the most unabashedly romantic LGBTQ films in recent memory."
The History of Sound features a talented cast, including Paul Mescal, Josh O’Connor, Chris Cooper, Raphael Sbarge, Molly Price, Tom Nelis, Alessandro Bedetti, Emma Canning, and Briana Middleton. The film is directed by Oliver Hermanus and written by Ben Shattuck, based on his short story.
The film’s runtime is 2 hours and 7 minutes. It is set to be released in select theaters. With its beautiful cinematography, superb performances, and poignant narrative, The History of Sound is a must-see film that will linger in audiences’ minds long after the credits roll.
