Tyler Wynn
The ending of 'Sound of Metal' starring Riz Ahmed as Ruben Stone, a drummer who loses his hearing, has been interpreted in various ways. Some viewers interpret the ending as Ruben's decision to end his life, while others believe it signifies his acceptance of his hearing loss and new life. The film's sonic designer, Nicholas Becker, described the final scene as a void where the sounds of life return, emphasizing the power of synesthesia. The film explores Ruben's journey as a recovering addict and his relationship with his mentor Joe, played by Paul Raci, who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. The film received multiple Academy Awards, including Best Film Editing and Best Sound.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Main Character | Ruben Stone |
| Actor | Riz Ahmed |
| Occupation | Drummer |
| Band | Blackgammon |
| Girlfriend | Lou |
| Girlfriend's Actor | Olivia Cooke |
| Mentor | Joe |
| Mentor's Actor | Paul Raci |
| Ending | Ruben undergoes cochlear implant surgery. |
| Ruben eventually finds stillness in silence and accepts his new life as a deaf man. | |
| Ruben and Lou part ways on good terms. |
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What You'll Learn
Ruben's cochlear implant
Sound of Metal is a film that premiered in 2019 at the Toronto International Film Festival. It stars Riz Ahmed as Ruben, a drummer and recovering addict who loses his hearing. The film ends with Ruben deciding to undergo surgery for a cochlear implant, a prosthetic device that will partially restore his sense of sound.
Ruben's mentor, Joe, is crushed by this decision, believing that Ruben "look [s] and sound [s] like an addict". The ending of the film is left open to interpretation, with some viewers speculating that Ruben has decided to kill himself, while others believe that he has finally accepted his hearing loss and found peace in his new life within the Deaf community.
Now, onto the details of cochlear implants, the surgery that Ruben decides to undergo at the end of the film. Cochlear implants are prosthetic devices that can partially restore a person's sense of sound. The implant has a coil to receive signals, electronics, and an array of electrodes that are placed into the cochlea, which stimulate the cochlear nerve. The surgical procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia, with minimal risks, and most individuals can go home the same day. However, some people may experience dizziness, and in rare cases, tinnitus or facial nerve bruising.
The development of cochlear implants has a long history, dating back to the 1950s and 1960s with early designs by André Djourno, Charles Eyriès, and William House. These early implants were single-channel devices that could not stimulate different areas of the cochlea to differentiate between frequencies for speech detection. In the late 1960s, Robin Michelson and Melvin Bartz created a cochlear implant with biocompatible materials, which was successfully implanted in four patients. In 1977, NASA engineer Adam Kissiah developed the modern multi-channel cochlear implant, which was commercialized by teams led by Graeme Clark in Australia and Ingeborg and Erwin Hochmair in Austria.
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Ruben's relationship with Lou
Sound of Metal is a 2019 film starring Riz Ahmed as Ruben, a drummer and recovering addict who loses his hearing. The film follows Ruben's journey as he comes to terms with his hearing loss and navigates his new life. In the film's ending, Ruben decides to undergo surgery for a cochlear implant, a decision that his mentor Joe strongly disagrees with.
Throughout the film, Ruben forms a close relationship with Lou, a young girl who is also a part of the Deaf community. Lou serves as a guide and a source of support for Ruben as he adjusts to his new life. She helps him communicate and navigate the world without sound, teaching him sign language and introducing him to the Deaf community and culture.
As Ruben struggles with his hearing loss and addiction, Lou becomes a crucial pillar of support and a source of comfort for him. Their relationship is one of mutual understanding and trust, as they both share a common experience of living in a world that often fails to accommodate their needs. Lou's presence in Ruben's life helps him find peace and acceptance, allowing him to let go of the anxiety and destructive behaviours associated with his hearing loss and addiction.
The exact nature of Ruben and Lou's relationship is left open to interpretation. Some viewers suggest that Lou represents Ruben's addiction, with Joe being the first to realise this and Michael remaining blind to it. This interpretation adds a layer of complexity to their dynamic, suggesting that Lou's presence in Ruben's life may not be as positive or healthy as it seems on the surface.
In conclusion, Ruben and Lou's relationship is a significant aspect of *Sound of Metal*, offering a unique perspective on addiction, hearing loss, and the power of human connection in overcoming personal struggles. Their bond highlights the importance of community and understanding in facing life's challenges, leaving a lasting impact on both Ruben and the audience.
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Ruben's acceptance of his hearing loss
Ruben Stone (played by Riz Ahmed), a drummer for a heavy metal band, experiences a sudden and extreme loss of hearing. Despite his doctor's advice, he continues to play in the band. He then loses his hearing completely. Ruben is a recovering addict, and his hearing loss affects him deeply. He joins a program run by Joe (Paul Raci) to help him stay sober and learn to live with his new condition.
Ruben's journey is one of self-acceptance and stillness. Initially, he is desperate to restore his hearing and is willing to go to great lengths to do so. He even considers selling his home to fund a cochlear implant, which his mentor Joe strongly advises against. Ruben's addiction and desperation to cling to his pre-deaf life lead him to reject the very people who are trying to help him.
However, as the film concludes, Ruben eventually finds peace and acceptance of his hearing loss and new life. In the final scene, Ruben finds stillness and accepts himself as a deaf man. This is a powerful moment, as he finally lets go of his anxiety and the harsh, abrasive sounds of the outside world. The sounds of life return to the audience, but not to Ruben, who is now at peace with his reality.
The ending of the film is open to interpretation. Some viewers felt that Ruben's expression in the final scene was one of horror at what he had lost. However, others believed that he had finally found acceptance and a new life waiting for him within the Deaf community. Ruben's story is a powerful portrayal of a character coming to terms with a life-altering condition and finding serenity in silence.
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Ruben's addiction
Ruben Stone, played by Riz Ahmed, is a drummer for a heavy metal band called Blackgammon. He is also a recovering addict. Ruben begins to lose his hearing, and despite his doctor's advice, he continues to play in the band until he loses his hearing completely.
In the end, Ruben is alone in a park, having parted ways with Lou. He removes his cochlear implant, finding peace and acceptance in the silence. This moment signifies Ruben's journey towards self-acceptance and overcoming his addiction. He has finally found stillness and serenity, no longer anxious about the harsh, abrasive sounds of the world around him.
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The film's ending scene
The ending scene of 'Sound of Metal' sees the film's protagonist, Ruben Stone (played by Riz Ahmed), a recovering addict and drummer for a heavy metal band, come to terms with his hearing loss. Ruben undergoes cochlear implant surgery, which partially restores his sense of sound, but the sounds are distorted and hard to hear.
In the final scene, Ruben finds acceptance and stillness in silence, embracing his new life as a deaf man. This is in contrast to earlier scenes in the film, where Ruben desperately clings to his hearing and rejects the deaf community. The ending suggests that Ruben has found peace and a new sense of self-acceptance, no longer anxious about the harsh, abrasive sounds of everyday life.
The film's sonic designer, Nicholas Becker, described the ending as a "void" where the sounds of life come back into the room. He compared it to musician John Cage's composition "4'33",' where the audience experiences the environment and human tension without any musical intrusion. This moment of silence in the film is powerful and climactic, leaving audiences with a feeling of excitement for Ruben's new life and potential romance with a school teacher back at the Deaf Community and School.
The ending of 'Sound of Metal' has been interpreted in various ways, with some viewers seeing it as a peaceful conclusion to Ruben's journey of self-acceptance, while others interpreted it as a potential suicide, highlighting the destructive nature of addiction. The film's co-writer and director, Darius Marder, allowed for these different interpretations, showcasing the complexity and impact of the story.
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Frequently asked questions
The main character Ruben (played by Riz Ahmed) undergoes surgery for a cochlear implant. The implant works to an extent, but the sounds he hears are distorted and metallic. He eventually finds stillness in silence and accepts his new life as a deaf man.
The final scene is open to interpretation. Some viewers believe that Ruben finally accepts his hearing loss and finds peace in his new life. Others interpret the ending as Ruben deciding to end his life.
Ruben and Lou part ways on sad but good terms. They both realize that their relationship is a thing of the past.
'Sound of Metal' received multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Sound, Best Film Editing, and Best Supporting Actor for Paul Raci. It won the awards for Best Film Editing and Best Sound.
