The History of Sound.

Director: Oliver Hermanus

After meeting at a Boston college in the early 1900’s, musical scholars Lionel (Paul Mescal) and David (Josh O’Connor) set off on a journey across the United States, recording voices and songs from small communities to catalogue musical moments in history. During the journey the men’s relationship develops as they become closer emotionally and sexually. Once the journey is over, the men drift apart; But even after Lionel moves to Europe, their feelings and memories don’t fade.When he returns to the US, to see his sick mother, he yearns to see David again and begins to understand how, failing to act on your passions and avoiding commitment, maybe something you can never change.

The History of Sound is an exploration of love, longing and regret and the strong part music plays in many lives, whether that is in its ability to tell stories, bring communities together or the way it takes you back to a place, a time and memories. But, while it has two warm and thoughtful central performances, for a film that is built around emotion, it felt strangely cold and distant, never fully engaging me.

It is a very well-made film. Mescal and O’Connor are two convincing leads as friends and lovers. They capture the feeling of longing and distance as the two, Mescals Lionel particularly, run from their feelings and commitments. The collection of the music in the first half of the film, is beautifully done, with each vignette capturing the meaning of the music and the community it represents, as they commit their songs to wax disks.

Which is why, its lack of emotional engagement is a bit of a surprise. For all of its heart, I did find it difficult to fully commit to. It feels like it never more than scratches the surface of the story, never fully exploring the why, the changing lives of its musical contributors, or why they make the choices they do.

In the end, for its promise and solid performances the film is one that washes over you, rather than fully pulling you in.