The exceptional Riz Ahmed plays a “Please Kill Me” tattoo-sporting American drummer (Ruben Stone) and one half of punk metal duo Blackgammon in this emotionally-draining indie film. Stone lives in and tours the United States in an RV with the band’s singer and his partner, Lou (Olivia Cooke, Ready Player One).
Darius Marder directs and co-writes the Amazon original in an incredible fictional feature debut which focuses on the intermittent and degenerative hearing loss and lingering drug addiction of Stone and his desire for expensive cochlear implant surgery, which represents a wider crisis of identity and faith. Ahmed, who has come a long way from his early days in films such as Four Lions – “Rubber Dinghy Rapids Bro!” – and Plan B’s Ill Manors, learnt American Sign Language (ASL) and drumming for the role, as well as providing live rock performances.
Stone who initially ignores medical advice to avoid loud sounds and continues to play in the band, eventually winds up at an addiction retreat for deaf individuals run by deaf Vietnam vet, Joe (Paul Raci). Raci himself was brought up by deaf parents. The character piece shines an interesting light on the deaf community, whilst Joe attempts to demonstrate that deafness is not a disability, only a difference. The time spent in the addiction retreat showcases Stone’s struggles to fit in with a new group of ASL-speakers, learning to listen and his attempts to find stillness.
The sound composition throughout the film is amazing. The viewer feels and hears the silences, differences and difficulties along with Stone. It is discomforting and disquieting and it is impossible not to empathise with the character as the film’s sound places the audience firmly in the lead character’s head.
It is an impressive directorial debut from Marder and we can expect bigger and better things further down the line from the 46/47 year old (Wikipedia isn’t sure). I wasn’t sure what to expect from the film, but in the end, I really enjoyed it. It was also an important reminder to me, that ‘Stillness Is the Key’.
*I know Ahmed doesn’t say “Rubber Dinghy Rapids Bro” but it is one of the highlights of the film.
ClingFilm 