At the rehab facility, our drummer goes through
the difficult process of rebuilding his life.
Without a language in the deaf world, he is
doubly lost. He learns American Sign Language
with deaf elementary school kids and becomes
a sort of big brother to them.
He also becomes a helpful part of the adult
recovery group, drawing tattoos and following
the demands of the facility owner (a terrific Paul
Raci) to sit every day with a pen and paper and
write his feelings out.
Ruben seems to have found his way. “You’ve
become very important to a lot of people
around here,” the rehab head tells him. But
Ruben is really an undercover agent — he hasn’t
given up on the world of the hearing.
The film has another, unexpected chapter, one
set in Paris and, to be honest, it’s not seamlessly
attached. Reunited with his girlfriend, Ruben
now has to decide where he really fits. And if he
can just enjoy the silence.
“Sound of Metal,” an Amazon Studios release, is
rated R for “language throughout and brief nude
images.” Running time: 130 minutes. Three stars
out of four.
Online: http://www.amazon.com/Sound-
Metal-Riz-Ahmed/dp/B08KZCFW1C
MPAA definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying
parent or adult guardian.