Highly Overrated But Still Good

A different way of telling a story

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

"The Sounding" starts with the highly original premise of a woman who speaks only in Shakespearian quotations. From there, it delves into a fearless examination of communication, cognition, and resolving one's truth with the presumptions of society. An outstanding lead turn by writer/director Catherine Eaton makes this a must-see. Admirers of Frank and Eleanor Perry's "David and Lisa" take note.

This is a gorgeously made film about a woman determined to live her truth. Compelling and nuanced performances, stunning cinematography, and a brilliant premise. Asks important questions about difference and our culture's determination to "heal" or "fix" behaviors outside the norm. PS: Even if you've never liked Shakespeare, you'll love this film.

Satisfies the hunger for a good, original story told and acted well . . . a compelling mystery, at that, with nary a vampire or serial killer in sight. The premise of an intelligent, vital individual, choosing not to speak, seemingly content to summon, reconfigure and enter Shakespeare's words, poetry and drama at will, to suit her every mood and occasion is intriguing. Loved it.

The Sounding starts off strong with a very interesting concept that draws you into the film and gets you wondering what's going on. The movie has some wonderful touching moments in the first half while also serving to build up more intrigue. We also see some spectacularly beautiful shots of Monhegan Island in Maine. However, as the story progresses it falters. The second half of the movie seems built to get the two main characters in a room together for the movie's climatic revelation. To do this the movie sacrifices much of its believability (as believable as a woman who only speaks in snippets of Shakespeare can be). Which would perhaps be OK if that revelation was at all deserving of the buildup it had been given. The Sounding does a pretty good job of building up the audience's desire to know WHY, but its payoff leaves the audience unsatisfied and the ending seems like an afterthought meant only to create a "happy" resolution.I respect the movie for what it attempted and it certainly has some good parts, but it ultimately falls short of the very high bar it sets for itself.