Sound and Fury. (2000). Directed by Josh Aronson, produced by Roger Weisberg. Aquarius Healthcare Videos, 5 Powderhouse Lane, P.O. Box 1159, Sherborn, MA 01779. 55 minutes; $195 (purchase), $50 (10-day preview). Reviewed by Jane B. Seaton, Seaton Consultants, Athens, GA.

Viewers should be prepared to experience a range of feelings while watching the video, Sound and Fury . Director Josh Aronson and producer Roger Weisberg have captured the raw emotions of two brothers-one who is deaf and one who is hearing-and their wives as they explore the possibility of cochlear implants for their children, a 4-year-old daughter and an infant son. Reactions of grandparents (both hearing and deaf) and their extended Deaf and hearing communities are portrayed while both families experience the process of making decisions related to getting and using a cochlear implant. Brief segments show the families interacting with an audiologist, a surgeon, teachers, and parents of other children who have cochlear implants. Although the film centers on issues surrounding cochlear implants and the impact of this technology on two interrelated families, the broader issues of communication within and between cultures, individual needs for value and acceptance, and fear of an uncertain future within the Deaf community are evident throughout.

This is a well-produced documentary where it is easy to identify with real people expressing emotions that all of us have experienced at one time or another. Sign-to-voice interpreters are matched to the age and gender of individuals communicating through sign language, and most of the dialogue is captioned as well. Vocal characteristics supplemented by excellent use of visual images add to the emotional content of the film.

Overall, this documentary succeeds in its attempt to present a balance between views of the hearing and Deaf communities regarding cochlear implants. The Deaf community's previous strong opposition to cochlear implants for children is depicted early in the video, but a disclaimer stating that the National Association for the Deaf is re-evaluating this position is included at the end. I found it impossible to watch this film dispassionately and highly recommend it to anyone with a personal or professional connection to individuals who have hearing loss.