A Melancholic Tale of Love at Cannes Film Festival

CANNES, France — At the Cannes Film Festival, Oliver Hermanus‘s film, The History of Sound, captures a poignant love story between two folk song enthusiasts in the early days of recorded music. Based on a short story by Ben Shattuck, the film follows Lionel, a farm boy from Kentucky, and David, a man from a privileged background, as they navigate their relationship in the early 20th century America.

The narrative is set just before the U.S. entered World War I, focusing on their time at a Boston music conservatory. Summer of 1920 brings the pair to rural Maine, where they collect local folk songs on wax cylinders while falling in love under the stars. However, their bond faces challenges as fate eventually separates them.

Played by Paul Mescal, Lionel is introduced through a thoughtful voiceover revealing his perfect pitch and unique perception of music, though these traits aren’t fully explored on screen. Josh O’Connor portrays David, whose more conventional path leads him towards academia, contrasting Lionel’s instinctive musical gift.

While both actors deliver commendable performances, they have showcased greater emotion in previous works. The film blends music and romance, yet the folk songs often feel antiquated, lacking the passion needed to resonate. The love story itself appears trapped, as though it exists behind glass rather than in the moment.

Some parts of the film unveil moments of genuine tenderness, particularly during Lionel’s introspective journeys through Italy and England, and in his encounter with David’s wife years later. A climactic reunion, involving the wax cylinder tech, hints at deeper themes, reminiscent of the poignant endings found in Graham Greene‘s works.

Despite high production values, The History of Sound struggles to ignite a passionate spark, leaving its narrative feeling somewhat sterile.