Irish actor Paul Mescal has pushed back against comparisons between his new period romance “The History of Sound” and the acclaimed gay cowboy film “Brokeback Mountain.” Speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, where “The History of Sound” premiered, Mescal emphasized that the only similarity between the two films is that the characters share some time together in a tent.
“The History of Sound” stars Mescal alongside Josh O’Connor as Lionel and David, two men who meet at the Boston Conservatory in the early 1900s and develop a deep connection through their shared passion for folk music. Their relationship is tested when David is drafted to fight in World War I, but they reunite after the war to embark on a journey across Maine, collecting traditional songs and experiencing an adventure that leaves a lasting impact on both their lives.
Mescal expressed frustration over the persistent comparisons to “Brokeback Mountain,” a film that has become a cultural touchstone for queer cinema. He described such parallels as lazy and reductive, explaining that while Ang Lee’s 2006 Oscar-winning film centers on repression, “The History of Sound” celebrates the love between its protagonists. The actor believes that his film offers a fresh narrative that deserves to be seen on its own terms.
Critical reception to “The History of Sound” has been mixed. Variety called it a “‘Brokeback Mountain’ on sedatives,” while The Guardian described it as a “quasi-Brokeback Mountain film” weighed down by a persistent melancholy, awarding it two out of five stars. South African director Oliver Hermanus, nominated for a BAFTA for his film “Living,” supported Mescal’s stance, noting that continued comparisons to a film released two decades ago highlight the ongoing lack of nuanced portrayals of queer relationships in cinema. He argued for more films exploring the dynamics of such relationships beyond familiar storylines.
Mescal, who gained recognition for his roles in “All of Us Strangers,” “Aftersun,” and more recently “Gladiator II,” said his choice of roles is driven by instinct and artistic compulsion. He embraces characters with emotional complexity and is committed to pursuing projects that resonate with his creative instincts until his interests evolve.
READ MORE: