The Sound of Silence Movie Review

The Sound of Silence (2019)

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Written by: Ben Nabors (based on the short film written by), Ben Nabors (co-writer), Ben Nabors (story by), Michael Tyburski (based on the short film written by), Michael Tyburski (co-writer)
Directed by: Michael Tyburski
Starring: Peter Sarsgaard, Rashida Jones, Tony Revolori
Rated: NR [R]
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Plot
A successful "house tuner" in New York City, who calibrates the sound in people's homes in order to adjust their moods, meets a client with a problem he can't solve.

Verdict
It's an interesting concept about sound and how it affects us. It's an understated movie, but it seems to be going somewhere up until it isn't. The third act is quite lackluster. There's many ways this could have been done, but this sputters. I wanted this to have a meaning or at least say something, but there's nothing.
Skip it.

Review
Peter (Peter Sarsgaard) assesses the latent sounds in peoples homes, and then counteracts unproductive sounds to create a pleasing environment. We're not quire sure if he is legitimate until he returns to his own apartment and his answers machine is full of people praising his work and those that have been referred.

Peter Sarsgaard plays Peter Lucian

Peter is devoted to sound, to the point of obsession. He's completely against any form of commercialization. He could easily make money on his research or services, but instead focuses on the sound. Helping people seems to be secondary. Peter believes he has discovered a universal truth of sound, but he's cautioned to remain objective.

Ellen (Rashida Jones) calls on his services. She watches him assess her apartment, skeptical that he can fix her depression despite his claims. Peter is odd, but it's an odd business. We know he's effective.

Peter's recommendation did not help Ellen. This troubles him as he can't solve that problem. Concurrently, his universal theory of sound receives scrutiny from a publisher. This starts to get slow. Peter's theory is that sound controls lives, not that lives control sound. Peter hears a constant ringing and becomes increasingly distraught. It seems he's headed for a breakdown.

This is an understated movie, focused on sound. That was okay, but approaching the end it seemed this wasn't going to go anywhere. Peter is on a path where his theories and viewpoints might be undone, until it isn't. What was the point? This builds to something until it just stops.