There seems to be unintentional homoeroticism in the story and plot contrivances that lack substance. Clair has a real mess on his hands when he tries to tell his story. Maybe he is more interested in cinematics. Clair's most exciting sequence utilizing his unique view on sound in the film comes during a climactic fight sequence which is punctuated by the sfx of a moving train. The oncoming fury of machines is juxtaposed against the more human fury of man.
Machine drowns out human sounds.
There is a multitude of force here to be reckoned with. Clair makes a statement about the onrush of technology. He makes a statement about the oncoming sound era in films. An era that no one was actually sure was truly coming. Clair is asking himself, the critics and the viewers if sound is really what they want in films.