SOUND OF METAL | FAMILY MOVIE REVIEW INFORMATION FOR PARENTS AND KIDS

"SOUND OF METAL"
(2020) (Riz Ahmed, Paul Raci) (R)

QUICK TAKE:: Drama: A drummer must contend with hearing loss and how that affects his life both professionally and personally.

PLOT:

Ruben Stone (RIZ AHMED) is a drummer in the heavy metal duo Blackgammon where he plays behind Lou (OLIVIA COOKE), the lead singer and guitarist who also happens to be his girlfriend. They live out of an old and small RV and travel around the country earning a living playing small but extremely loud gigs. Probably due to that, Ruben is suddenly struck with severe hearing loss and learns that cochlear implants are likely the only solution to his issue. All of which means he'll have to keep playing such loud gigs in hopes of making enough money to pay for them, thus worsening his condition.

Concerned about his past addiction, Lou arranges for Ruben to check in at a small community of recovering addicts who are also deaf, run by Vietnam vet and recovering alcoholic Joe (PAUL RACI). Not wanting to accept this new development and unable to communicate since he doesn't know American Sign Language, Ruben initially wants no part of this arrangement, has a hard time fitting in, and misses Lou who isn't allowed to stay as part of the initiation for newcomers. But as the days and weeks pass, and he interacts with others there such as teacher Diane (LAUREN RIDLOFF), Ruben begins to acclimate to the place and his condition, although the temptation of getting those implants is never far from his mind.

WILL KIDS WANT TO SEE IT?: Older teens might, especially if they're into music, are fans of anyone in the cast, or might be interested in stories about hearing loss and deafness.

WHY THE MPAA RATED IT: R: For language throughout and brief nude images.

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