THE SOUND OF SILENCE
US, 2019, 85 minutes, Colour.
Peter Sarsgaard, Rashida Jones, Tony Revelori, Austin Pendleton, Bruce Altman.
Directed by Michael Tyburski.
This is a film which the general public would find very difficult. Its main appeal is to the arthouse audience, an audience who which want something different, something stimulating to reflect on.
Peter Sarsgaard plays what might be an eccentric genius or someone who is just eccentric – with some mental health problems.
We see him out and about in New York City, listening to sounds, sensing the different sounds in different neighbourhoods, mapping the city and its sounds. He is also available to clients who want to improve the sounds and atmosphere of their apartments or particular rooms.
One of his main clients is played by Rashida Jones, his working in her apartment, his forming an attachment to her.
Meanwhile, in the real world, Peter has an office and takes on an enthusiastic young apprentice, Tony Revelori. However, he is ambitious, is motivated by self-promotion and the possibility of making money, contacting a company who want to take over Peter and his work.
In the meantime, Peter has support from a Columbia University professor, Austin Pendleton, and tries to get some of his findings published. By this stage of the film, it is becoming clearer that Peter is definitely an eccentric, that his findings and methods are dubious, a magazine editor putting him off from publishing his work.
And, a sad ending, for Peter and the lack of possibilities for his future.
1. The title? The reality of noise, the reality of sound and sounds, the importance of silence?
2. The New York City setting, the areas, distinctive, their character?
3. The music and its importance?
4. Peter, his character, age, his story, dress, his tools, his work in the streets, the maps, his office? Sam and his working in the office? How would the invitation for discussion, the commercialisation of his work? His refusal?
5. His work in apartments, the various sounds in the apartment, their effect with each other, on the people? Changing implements and the effect? Success?
6. Ellen and her encounter, the discussions with Peter, the situation in her apartment? Personal? His visit, study of her apartment, the various rooms, her agreeing? The personal life?
7. Peter, his theories, the intensity of his understandings, his commitment to his work, to the city?
8. Various clients, their requests, his considering them, his work?
9. Sam, in the office, the data, his going to How would, selling the material? Peter seeing the advertisement in the street, his disillusionment?
10. The professor from Colombia, friendship and support? Meeting:?
11. The ending, the collapse of Peter’s work? The issue of his character, his mental health, his being a genius, but misunderstood? The encounter at the speech, with the editor of the magazine? Agreement for discussion about the rejection of his ideas?
12. Not a film for the popular audience – but asking for artistic appreciation?
