The History Of Sound Movie Review (2025)
A period romance about two young men traveling together to record the folk songs of rural America, The History of Sound is a beautifully understated film, with excellent performances and a gentle, emotionally rich story that uses music as both a form of love and a way of preserving history.
When I stumbled across this movie poster, it got me thinking. Both Josh O’Connor and Paul Mescal have careers that have taken off like a bolt of lightning over the last five years. They have each been working for longer, but now, they are both everywhere. Mescal’s Hamnet was one of my favorite films last year, and I have looked forward to his movies since seeing him in Aftersun. O’Connor became a household name with Challengers, but I loved him in Hope Gap long before that. They are each talented individuals, and their pairing up here intrigued me.
The History Of Sound takes place at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, where Kentucky farmboy Lionel Worthing meets fellow student David White at a pub. The two bond over folk music and sing at the piano that David is playing before leaving to spend the night together. The two continue their relationship and grow closer until David is drafted into WWI and the conservatory closes. Lionel returns to the farm to help his parents until receiving a letter from David that he is back and employed by a college in Maine. He is being funded to travel around the country to record local folk songs for a project and invites Lionel to join him as his assistant. The two rekindle their love affair and begin their travels.
This is a lovely romantic drama that reminds me heavily of Brokeback Mountain, but not because it is about two men in a relationship. Tonally, there is an hushed tension lined with tenderness and a wistful quality. Both movies cradle the relationship between two humans in the same way, regardless of gender, and the softness is incredibly beautiful.
There are three major characters in this film: Lionel, David, and music. Music is present in the soothing score of the film, various singing performances, songs of the country sung by locals and recorded, and the figurative music that exists between the two men. But on the flipside, silence has a great presence as well. Words are chosen carefully, and unless there is something to be said, there is a peaceful quiet. Sometimes it is painful and sometimes contemplative, but the restraint in the silence is palpable.
Mescal and O’Connor have an authentic chemistry as Lionel and David, respectively. There is a soulful connection that doesn’t need words, and lives in their choices, both day and night.
There is also a specialness about how the men collect the songs of the country. Not everyone is willing to invite them in, but their intentions are pure, and most are open to the process. With grace and respect, Lionel and David patiently wait for the gift of each folk hymn or fiddle tune.
The History Of Sound is a poetic film that covers a simple story with great depth. It is bittersweet and, at times, deeply felt, with stars that you will enjoy. They’ve made names for themselves for a reason.
Runtime: 129 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: R
Languages Spoken In The Film: English and Italian with English subtitles
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
Available: Free on Hulu and Disney+, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
