THE HISTORY OF SOUND

The film follows Lionel (Mescal, 'Gladiator II', 'All of Us Strangers'), a music student at Boston Conservatory who meets David (O'Connor, 'Challengers', 'God's Own Country'). The two bond over their love of sound, particularly folk music. Over the next few years, the two drift apart; David goes to war, while Lionel stays home and tends to his family's farm. After the war, the two reconnect and embark on a journey throughout the country to preserve folk music, and their love begins to form.

'The History of Sound' is a mediocre sit, and while both Mescal and O'Connor are terrific, the film seems uninterested in showcasing their chemistry. A lot of the film, the two are kept apart, and it feels like a real missed opportunity not to have them together for more of the runtime. That is not to say this is a completely empty film; it just lacks the emotional punch.

The film has a really beautiful message about preserving art and the importance of physical media. While the queer love story is underbaked, there are some strong points. There are stunning moments about the feeling of loving someone but not being able to express it due to external pressures. The scenes where we experience the music and stories from the people they meet are also really effective. The film just has a lot of emptiness between these great moments.

This year's Gay Sad Oscar Bait Romantic Drama is a perfectly serviceable piece of media. 'The History of Sound' has great performances from its leads, but it all just never comes together to form the perfect melody.