Film Review: THE SOUND OF VIOLET (2022): Allen Wolf’s Film is an Interesting Mix of Comedy and Drama

The Sound of Violet Review

The Sound of Violet (2022) Film Review, a movie directed by Allen Wolf and starring Cason Thomas, Cora Cleary, Kaelon Christopher, Michael E. Bell, Jan D’Arcy, Allen Wolf, James Pinto, Mara Reltien, Esha More, Nishant Ghan, Robert L. Butler Jr., Ray Hopper, Angles Rates, Amelia Samson, Tyler Roy Roberts and Ivy Bona.

Allen Wolf’s new film, The Sound of Violet, has a lot of heart and showcases two central lead performances that are quite compelling. These turns are by two newcomers to feature films: Cason Thomas and Cora Cleary. Wolf’s movie makes a lot of important points and will maintain viewer interest throughout. It is a story of learning to accept people for who they really are.  It is also a tale of the powerful connection that is developed by a young autistic man and a prostitute. What makes the movie truly special are the performances by Thomas and Cleary who create a connection on screen that is very touching. This is a movie that shows us intriguing everyday characters that we don’t see in too many films these days.

As the film opens, we meet Shawn (Cason Thomas) who works for a dating app. He meets women for dates but because of his peculiar behavior on the dates, the women he goes out with seem to quickly disappear. One even flees the scene almost immediately. Shawn has autism. He lives with his grandmother Ruth (Jan D’Arcy) in a nice apartment.

Shawn’s boss Jake (Tyler Roy Roberts) throws an event called a “Pimps and Hos” party. Shawn finds one of the women there appealing. Her name is Violet (Cora Cleary). Violet is a hooker. Shawn isn’t able to realize this fact partly because of his autism. He quickly sets up a date with Violet at the apartment he shares with his grandmother. Violet is under the impression that Shawn wants to be with her intimately, but Shawn is not one who is fond of intimacy.

Shawn and Violet soon spend a little time together although it’s clear Shawn doesn’t want to have sex with her. He likes her but true human connection seems hard for him to achieve in his life. For reasons that aren’t always clear, Violet doesn’t run away from Shawn. She tells him she’s going on acting “auditions” but she’s really spending time with “clients” who are provided for her by her pimp Anton (Michael E. Bell). Although Violet puts on an act that suggests to Shawn that everything is fine, she is suffering inside. She is essentially trapped in a life of hardship where she “owes” Anton for what he has done to provide her with a place to live. Violet is paying him with a large percentage of the money she makes as a prostitute, but she can’t simply go on her own and start over. She is Anton’s slave. Meanwhile, the plot thickens when Shawn’s grandmother becomes aware that Violet isn’t the type of girl that she wants Shawn to date.

The Sound of Violet features a story that was in an independent book by Wolf titled Hooked before the title was changed to the current one. Once I read the story line, I was immediately intrigued by the premise. It could have been a difficult tale to tell because of the nature of what Violet is going through as a character. I’m not sure if the plot was changed from the book at all, but it works well as a film. There’s a balancing act, however, between the comic and dramatic elements of the movie that is achieved by Wolf’s film. However, some viewers may be intrigued by the light nature of the early scenes only to find that the heavy scenes towards the end are a bit of a 180 degree turn from the rest of the movie. There’s a reason for that, though, and viewers should be prepared to accept that the movie isn’t always light-hearted viewing like the early scenes suggest it could be.

This is not a Pretty Woman-type story. Although that’s a fine comic film, Wolf’s picture has a lot more to say regarding prostitution and the filmmaker even delves deep into Shawn’s personal struggles as well. I liked how the movie created the relationship between Shawn and his brother (well played by Kaelon Christopher) and showed the way the brother, Colin, was looking to keep Shawn safe from harm emotionally speaking. There’s a scene late in the film where Colin helps his brother that is deeply moving. This film is, at its core, though, a movie that wants to help end human trafficking. Michael E. Bell, as Anton, is truly intense here and his cruel, terrifying portrayal of the pimp is on point all throughout the picture.

However, the success of the movie rests mainly on its stars. Thomas and Cleary are well matched and provide the audience with characters who are likable and unpredictable. Shawn and Violet are genuinely well-written, and we care about the predicament they find themselves in. Thomas and Cleary are performers who were properly selected, and they manage to present the audience with quirky chemistry that can truly make the audience become invested in their characters. As Shawn’s grandmother, Jan D’Arcy is very effective as a woman who wants what is best for her grandson and tries to guide him in the right direction. Shawn’s heart is guiding him in a direction that she may have to learn to accept.

The Sound of Violet, while not a perfect film, is a very touching movie. My main criticisms are that some viewers may be uncomfortable by the picture’s tone shifts and that Violet’s initial connection to Shawn seemed a bit forced at first, but these are minor reservations in an otherwise heartfelt film. Director Wolf and the central cast are to be credited for bringing to life a story that needs to be told. This film touches on Shawn’s disability and Violet’s suffering with a realistic edge that keeps the viewer interested in seeing where their story will go. It is a movie that will make you search your heart to understand the key to happiness in life. It is recommended.

Rating: 7.5/10

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