Two young men during World War I set out to record the lives, voices and music of their American countrymen.

A word to directors: Don’t have a character say ‘I’m bored’ in the middle of a film that is kind of boring. That is maybe slightly harsh on Oliver Hermanus and his latest film, ‘The History of Sound’, which is not without its merits, though I can see why it’s been washed away at a time of year when it’s quality compared with other films in cinemas now is starker than usual. The film itself is based on a couple of short stories by Ben Shattuck, who also wrote the screenplay, and is perhaps most notable for casting two of the film world’s hottest stars in Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor as lovers.

They play Lionel Worthing (Mescal) and David White (O’Connor), two men who meet at college and fall in love over a shared passion for folk music. The story begins in 1917 in Maine, but will also take in other parts of the United States and Europe, with the backdrop of World War I and attitudes of the time playing a part in the narrative. Lionel and David’s connection is the core part of the movie but it is set against the onset of sound technology, as they travel around rural Maine collecting folk songs on wax cylinders. I did find it interesting seeing how the first sound recordings were captured in what must have felt cutting edge at the time, but I was less invested in Lionel and David’s relationship.

Then we come to the final act and I found myself reconsidering how I’d viewed things earlier. I shan’t spoil how the story plays out but what I will say is that ‘The History of Sound’ has an incredibly strong conclusion that is profound, moving and perfectly judged. Usually it’s the journey that is more rewarding than the destination but this is a rare film that is the opposite. Mescal and O’Connor are both solid, though they’ve given better performances elsewhere, and I did like the always excellent Chris Cooper in a key supporting role.

‘The History of Sound’ meanders for large parts of its runtime and will likely appeal more to those with a penchant for period dramas set at this time (think Merchant Ivory and you’ll be close), but it did draw me back in towards the end and I was moved by the way Hermanus concludes his film.

Rating: 3/5

Directed By: Oliver Hermanus

Starring: Paul Mescal, Josh O’Connor, Chris Cooper, Molly Price, Raphael Sbarge, Hadley Robinson, Emma Canning, Emily Bergl, Briana Middleton, Gary Raymond, Alison Bartlett and Michael Schantz

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt15799524/