xAnts

Paul Mescal and Josh O'Connor, two of the UK's brightest acting talents, share the screen in History of Sound, a folk music drama recently showcased at Cannes. The film centres on a compelling and intimate gay romance between their characters, but unfortunately, the overall experience struggles to resonate, ultimately falling into a frustrating monotony.

The premise itself is intriguing. Mescal plays a sound recordist tasked with travelling to a remote island in Ireland to document a legendary singer, played with captivating fragility by Jessie Buckley. O'Connor portrays the singer's estranged and volatile son, and the burgeoning relationship between Mescal’s character and O'Connor's is undeniably the film's strongest asset. Their chemistry is palpable, and the quiet moments of connection – stolen glances, shared silences, the tentative exploration of intimacy – are beautifully rendered. Director Ben Sharrock expertly crafts scenes that hint at a deep and complex bond, promising a story of profound emotional depth.

However, History of Sound suffers from a lack of narrative drive. While the initial setup is compelling, the film meanders, losing its focus as it progresses. The exploration of the island's folklore and the singer’s troubled past, while visually striking, feels tangential to the core relationship. The film attempts to weave together themes of grief, family, and artistic legacy, but these threads are never fully developed, leaving the audience with a sense of incompleteness.

The film's pacing is a significant issue. Long, drawn-out scenes, while occasionally showcasing the actors' talents, contribute to the overall feeling of stagnation. The folk music, while beautifully performed, becomes repetitive, mirroring the film’s cyclical narrative. It's as if the film is deliberately trying to evoke the feeling of being lost and isolated, but this ultimately becomes detrimental to the viewer’s engagement.

Despite its flaws, History of Sound is not without merit. The performances from Mescal and O'Connor are commendable, and Buckley delivers a truly memorable portrayal of a woman grappling with loss and regret. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the stark beauty of the Irish landscape. However, these strengths are ultimately overshadowed by the film's structural weaknesses and lack of narrative momentum.

History of Sound had the potential to be a powerful and moving exploration of love, loss, and artistic expression. Sadly, it gets lost in its own ambition, failing to deliver on its initial promise. It’s a film that whispers when it should shout, leaving a lingering feeling of disappointment.

Rating: 2/5