#REVIEW: “THE HISTORY OF SOUND”

By Mr. Will Wong

After some positive reception at Cannes earlier this year, Oliver Hermanus’ THE HISTORY OF SOUND now surfaces, but despite its polished aesthetic and soothing dulcet tones, it never quite strikes the chord it reaches for.

The queer historical romance centers on Lionel (Paul Mescal) and David (Josh O’Connor), two young men who form a strong connection over their love for music after World War I.  They study at the Boston Music Conservatory, and while the time they are allotted together is brief, before David must fulfill his duties in the military, their time together would forever change their lives.  They set off to collect songs in their travels together, to be archived like time and cultural capsules, before life sets them apart on different roads.

THE HISTORY OF SOUND in many ways echoes sentiments and emotions felt in Ang Lee‘s Brokeback Mountain, exploring reminiscence and regret, however without quite reaching the emotional heights and peaks of that predecessor.  And perhaps that is part of the issue where much of the Film is spent with Lionel finding purpose and looking back, longing and hoping for answers.   Yet we didn’t quite experience that palpable intensity in the couple’s time together that would make us fully invested alongside him.

Our two leads however complement each other well, with O’Connor effectively communicating David‘s internal conflict despite his love for Lionel, while Mescal takes us through Lionel‘s transformation to find himself without David by his side.  Hermanus has a clear vision and the Film is captivating, even though its storytelling isn’t perfect.

Mubi Canada release THE HISTORY OF SOUND in theatres Friday, September 19, 2025.