On paper, The History of Sound has a lot to get excited about: a historical love story between two folk singers played by two of the currently most in-demand actors Paul Mescal and Josh O’Connor. Sadly, this one falls a little flat.

Set at a Boston music conservatory, singer Lionel (Mescal) meets David (O’Connor), an academic musicologist and the two over their shared passion for folk music. Lionel is shy, from humble upbringings and has synaesthesia which enables him to see music in colour (an incredibly interesting concept that is barely explored); David meanwhile is outgoing, academic and playful. They soon become lovers, maintaining a sweet, if, dare I say, dull relationship.

They briefly part ways when David goes off to fight in the war. When he returns, the two of them begin a twee adventure, travelling throughout New England, camping under the stars and knocking on doors to record folk songs that families have passed down from generation to generation.

It’s no Brokeback Mountain (a comparison Mr Mescal finds ‘lazy and frustrating’ which is ironic since Brokeback Mountain is an immensely superior film), whilst Mescal and O’Connor have an easy chemistry and some genuinely tender moments, they lack any passion whatsoever and their relationship seems a dull affair.

The problem is, ‘no passion whatsoever’ and a ‘dull affair’ are phrases that can sum up the whole film. There are so many interesting plot points that could make for a very interesting movie – Lionel’s aforementioned synaesthesia, David’s war PTSD, the stigma of their relationship, the folk songs they are collecting – yet instead the plot trundles along sluggishly, focusing more on establishing shots of the grey, brown and taupe surroundings (no shade to Maine and New England which have been showcased in all their vibrant beauty in many other movies).

To comment too much on the final third risks spoiling the movie’s few twists but it’s fair to say that the final third of the film is in many ways the most engaging. And despite the tepid romance, we spend enough time with Lionel and David (two hours, feels like three) to still feel the emotional impact of the story’s final revelation.

Is this final third worth sitting through the rest of this anaemic film? Not really. Mescal and O’Connor both have better films out right now, you’d be better off watching one of those…or Brokeback Mountain.

History of Sound opens in the UK on 23 January 2026.