The Ultimate Playlist of Noise (2021)

 

Streaming Services: Hulu
Movie Name/Year: The Ultimate Playlist of Noise (2021)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Music
Length:  99 minutes
Rating: Unrated
Production/Distribution: American High, LD Entertainment, Hulu
Director: Bennett Lasseter
Writers: Mitchell Winkie
Actors: Madeline Brewer, Oliver Cooper, Keean Johnson, Ariela Barer, Ian Gomez, Emily Skeggs, Carol Mansell, Gordon Winarick, Carrie Louise Putrello, Heather Giangreco, Noah Winchell
 
Blurb from IMDb: Marcus, an audio-obsessed high school senior, learns he must undergo brain surgery that will render him deaf, and decides to seize control of his fate by recording the Ultimate Playlist of Noise.

 
Cat’s Point of View:
When I heard about this movie and watched its trailer in preparation for the Top 20 Movies to Look Out For in January 2021 article I had a visceral reaction to it. I immediately identified with the main character’s sense of looming impending doom related to a medical situation. I mentioned as much in the article, where this movie placed as my #12.
 
Looking back, I don’t think I’d change its placement even though the film wasn’t nearly what I expected.
 
Sure, there was a bit of a romance aspect to it, and the protagonist’s journey was as expected…I just didn’t see the twist coming. It threw me for a loop. There is an underlying current of emotion that swept me up and dashed my heart against a few rocks as the film went winding along.

 
Even so, there is a generally uplifting story of hope, growth, and redemption here. It ripped the bandaid right off, though to get there. I was lulled into this sense of adventure and anticipation right up until the main character realizes his own life-long delusions and some stark truths. I was not prepared. Tissues were involved.
 
While The Ultimate Playlist of Noise didn’t end the way I expected, it was still well worth the time spent watching it. My daughter even helped me fight off my fatigue-induced narcolepsy and watched it with me without complaint. Considering she’d usually rather be watching anime these days, I’d say that speaks for itself. 

Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 50%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 76%
Metascore –  None
Metacritic User Score – None
IMDB Score – 2.1/10
 
Trust the Dice: Parental Advisory Rating – PG-13
 
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3/5
 
Movie Trailer: