Rating: 3 out of 5.
Oliver Hermanus’s period romance, The History of Sound, starring Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor, is a tender and exquisitely shot adaptation of Ben Shattuck’s short story. Set against the backdrop of WWI-era America, the film beautifully captures a poignant love story and the delicate process of preserving folk music on wax cylinders.
The film follows Lionel (Mescal) and David (O’Connor), two young men who meet at the Boston Conservatory in 1917 and later embark on a journey through the rural American Northeast to record traditional songs. This shared odyssey—a love of both each other and the vanishing music—forms the emotional core of the film.
The History of Sound has garnered comparisons to Brokeback Mountain due to its portrayal of concealed queer love in a less tolerant era. However, critics note that while the film is handsomely made, it can sometimes feel overly decorous and listless—some finding it more studied than felt. The director’s controlled style, combined with a deliberately paced narrative, results in a movie that is often quiet and melancholy, leaning into romantic tragedy without ever truly wallowing.
The performances of Mescal and O’Connor are a major highlight, with both actors sharing a subtle yet palpable chemistry. Their expressive, hushed intensity elevates the material, even when the screenplay is deemed somewhat cliché. The stunning cinematography by Alexander Dynan contributes to the film’s transportive quality, showcasing the rural landscapes with the texture of old photographs.
In summary, The History of Sound is a visually masterful and deeply felt drama, best viewed as a poetic, hushed ode to regret, longing, and the enduring power of connection and song, even if its restrained approach occasionally risks prioritizing elegance over raw passion.