The Sound of Silence Review
NR
IFC Films, Anonymous Content, Feracious Entertainment, Group Theory, Keshet Studios, Valparaiso Pictures, Washington Square Pictures
Run Time: 1 Hr and 37 Minutes
Director: Michael Tyburski | Screenwriters: Ben Nabors, Michael Tyburski
Cast: Peter Sarsgaard, Rashida Jones, Tony Revolori, Austin Pendleton
A self-taught scientist, Peter (Peter Sarsgaard) works in New York as a “house tuner” — a unique, highly specialized profession he’s invented. His clients approach him with troubles like depression, anxiety, or fatigue. After extensive analysis of their homes’ acoustic characteristics, he identifies some sonic combination — a radiator mixed with a kitchen appliance, for instance — that’s altering their mood. Despite some skepticism, his clients see results… until he meets Ellen (Rashida Jones), who is experiencing exhaustion. After his initial conclusion proves incorrect, Peter obsessively searches for the fault in his practice.
Peter, an intelligent, middle-aged scientist, has a special ability regarding sound. He uses his power to help people across NYC with this practice called ‘house tuning,’ which -- thanks to this movie -- makes you question, “Why isn’t this a real profession?” The way that screenwriters Ben Nabors and Michael Tyburski display this method on screen, using psychology as a means to provide support through this character, is one of the many pleasures that I got from watching this drama. ‘House tuning’ may not be an actual practice in New York City, but it’s New York City. You can find a specific set of people looking for various ways to cure their uneasiness, whether it relates to anxieties or depression. That’s the strong set up Tyburski sets for Peter, who travels around the city to lend a hand to clients with mental instabilities who feel like certain sounds in their home actually prevent them from getting that serotonin in their lives. He’s quite successful with it and even has his own intern and finds himself in competition with a company that’s trying to profit from it.
To have this character who is established as the best in a field of his own is interesting and is the film’s best feat. Seeing Peter in his own environment and following him through the city in his own perspective is the most enticing aspect of the film. He is a successful man who maintains a certain humbleness within his work and you appreciate that layer of coolness about him throughout.
In the film’s introduction, he takes on a new client named Ellen (Jones) whose instability is chronic exhaustion mixed with depression, which relates to her late husband. As the story progresses, you get to know the two characters as people as they begin to become closer to each other romantically. Sarsgaard and Jones deliver incredible performances that make this rather quiet picture more enticing. Despite what you may think about the dialogue, which is sometimes weak when they are together, the timidness in their characters and the intimate moments they share helps the film moves at a steady pace.
There is a quiet poignancy to The Sound of Silence, even in the technical department, that benefits the lead and his uniqueness. Because this is a character who works with sound frequencies, the sound mixing is fantastic and it plays as its own character. When those frequencies go nuts, so do his emotions, which are intensified as they disrupt his world.
There are great ideas present and the film has a contemplative tone, but the biggest issue is how the narrative is set. It’s a subtle romantic drama that is enjoyable to watch but features way too corny moments to take seriously. By the film’s climax, the movie takes a page out of a Nicholas Sparks novel. The romance between Ellen and Peter is the best thing about the movie, but also the worst, for it goes to the most vanilla of places. I get the intention but it needed much more than depressed notions and slices of deadpan humor to make it unique. Their relationship is presented as something where the balance comes from each other, but the way it’s executed is both silly and laughable. It leaves a bad taste in your mouth and makes you question:
The film is quiet, short, and there’s a lot to appreciate about it, but the pieces that fall flat are jarring and some pieces don’t really fit together at all. As previously mentioned, Peter finds himself in competition with a company that wants to patent his study and use it for profit. While it’s interesting when it’s established, it doesn’t really go anywhere outside of the fact that monopolies always win and that’s it.
Despite some weak areas that are a bit deaf in its storytelling, The Sound of Silence prospers from an enticing, well-characterized lead and solid performances by the cast.
Now somebody please make house tuning a profession. I’m going to need someone to help me with my sleep deprivation ASAP.
Rating: 3/5 | 67%
