"The History of Sound" Hits Highs and Lows

by Eurocheese

Josh O'Connor and Paul Mescal in THE HISTORY OF SOUND

Memories, like music, can take on new meaning as we sit with them over time. The History of Sound opens on beautiful, panoramic shots with hints of possibility or even romance as we follow Paul Mescal’s Lionel, a lonely young man from the sticks who is eager to experience life. He heads off to college and meets Josh O’Connor as David, brimming with charm and curiosity, who spends his nights commanding rooms with his enthusiastic piano playing. Soon the love of music between the two (brought together by Lionel singing niche folk songs) spills into a relationship. It’s easy to be drawn in by the appeal of these actors, but something about this unspoken relationship feels a bit too easy. When Lionel heads home and eventually receives an invitation to join David on a trip researching music, it feels like he is walking out of his mundane life and into a dream...

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Cannes Diary 08: Queer Cinema Highs & Lows

by Elisa Guidici

Straight couples and monogamous relationships seem to be an endangered species at this year's Cannes Film Festival, especially in the sidebar sections. We've seen a wealth of films centered on queer love stories, set in a more open and aware contemporary world. Yet, this world often still struggles with a perspective that doesn't immediately stiffen when behavior is framed as "deviant." Unfortunately, mere representation doesn't equate to consistent quality. To summarize the spectrum seen here at Cannes, let's dive into the most exciting film and the most disappointing currently tackling these themes...

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It's a good time to be a Josh O'Connor fan

by Cláudio Alves

While Luca Guadagnino's sexy tennis movie is queering up the box office, Alice Rohrwacher's La Chimera is finally out On Digital. In other words, if you're soft for Ratatouille's #1 fan Josh O'Connor, it must feel like everything's coming up roses. And isn't that how it should be? Between the two projects, the up-and-coming British actor shows off his range and then some. In Challengers, he's all dirtbag sleaze, playful in that way naughty kids can be when they know they've gotten away with something. Yet, between provocations, there's vulnerability peeking through, hunger of the stomach and the heart. Contrast with La Chimera, performed primarily in Italian and suffused with quiet heartbreak from start to finish. From burning ardor to morose romanticism, Josh O'Connor excels…

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