Film Review: ‘The History of Sound’ Meanders But Succeeds Due to Some Lovely Acting

Period romances come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes, they’re big and sweeping. Other times, they’re small and quiet. Despite the strong musical presence found in The History of Sound, this film is decidedly the latter. Fans of folk music will probably did the tunes in this movie, regardless of where they fall on the romance. Still, the combination manages to be just enough to warrant a mild recommendation here.

The History of Sound is an investment, one not everyone will be willing to make. It has a deliberate pace and tone that only rewards those who stick with it closely for the whole. Now, if you do, you’ll probably be fond of what you saw. Plus, there’s some top notch acting on display. At the same time, it’s a flick that won’t be for everyone, even if it ideally would have liked to have been.

At the turn of the 19th century in rural Kentucky, Lionel Worthing (Paul Mescal) has shown a musical gift. Eventually, he lands a scholarship to the Boston Conservatory of Music. It’s there that he meets David White (Josh O’Connor), a more polished and upper class student, though one who shares his passion for music. Specifically, they bond over folk ballads, with a romance blooming.

Separated by World War I, they’re reunited afterwards when David returns home from the battlefield, taking a field trip through New England. The reason? To listen to and record local people singing their folk tunes. We listen to the music, we observe their love, and we wonder what’s to become of them. Through it, we see an older Lionel (Chris Cooper) reflecting on their love, the music, and the memories of both.

Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor are two of the best young actors we have, so watching them together is a pleasure. Both are better in other things this year (Mescal in Hamnet and O’Connor in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery), but that takes nothing away from them here. They have a quiet chemistry that fits for the restrained yearning on display. Chris Cooper is also aces in his small role. In some ways, he’s the emotional core fo the film. Given the talent we’ve seen from Cooper, that should be no surprise, yet it’s still nice to see in practice. Supporting players here include Molly Price, Raphael Sbarge, and more, though it’s Cooper, Mescal, and O’Connor that you’ll remember.

Director Oliver Hermanus and writer Ben Shattuck (adapting his own work) with a focus on music, romance, and deliberate pacing. The latter was nearly too much for me, even, saved only by the effectiveness of the former. Still, your mileage may vary, given how the over two hour film does kind of trudge along. When it counts, it hits the marks it needs, thankfully, but it’s something frustrating getting there.

The History of Sound requires patience. It’s a movie that’s very much not in a hurry. That’s not a bad thing, though in this case you do wish that Hermanus got us from one moment to another a little quicker. At the end of the day, having Mescal and O’Connor covers up those flaws, resulting in a worthwhile little indie flick.

SCORE: ★★★