Nominations: Academy Awards 2021

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One of the worst things that can happen to a person, in my opinion, is to lose the thing responsible for their career and livelihood. That is exactly what happens in Sound of Metal when Ruben (Riz Ahmed), a drummer in a rock band, finds out he’s losing his hearing. We follow his journey through his grief while he realizes his life will never be the same again.

Ruben’s girlfriend, Lou (Olivia Cooke), worried about him relapsing, since he’s a recovering drug addict, calls his sponsor figure and they find a rural shelter specific for deaf recovering addicts. The shelter was founded by Joe (Paul Raci), a recovering alcoholic who lost his hearing in the Vietnam War. With Joe’s help, Ruben begins his path towards accepting his new condition.

Riz Ahmed gives one of the best performances of the year and is deservedly nominated as best actor. He’s able to display Ruben’s despair, anger, frustration, and sadness in a quiet and restrained performance. Paul Raci is equally wonderful as Ruben’s mentor, being understanding and strict when needed.

Another well-deserved nomination is for best sound. The techniques used make the audience feel like they’re in Ruben’s shoes, as we hear distortions that replicate the mechanical output of cochlear implants, for example. In some other instances, voices are muffled. There are also some very smartly chosen moments of silence throughout the movie.

Sound of Metal is also nominated for best original screenplay and it is, indeed, a great choice, since it seems like there are fewer movies each year that are fresh and original. It also highlights a community that would be otherwise unrepresented at the Oscars, not to mention its ability to remind us all not to take any of our senses for granted.

It is available on Amazon Prime Video.