WHITE NOISE (2005)

Is it The Sixth Sense…No!, is it Poltergeist…No! It’s White Noise, the story of successful architect Jonathan Rivers (Keaton) who’s peaceful life is turned upside down with the unexpected and strange death of his pregnant wife Anna (West). He is then contacted by a strange man (McNeice) who claims he’s receiving messages from Jonathan’s dead wife through EVP (Electronic Voice Phenomenon) which is conducted through electrical recording devices in his home. Jonathan is skeptical at first but after time, becomes convinced of the validity of the messages he sees and hears, and becomes obsessed with trying to contact his beloved wife.

This is not usually the type of film that I would go and watch on the big screen; however the fact that it has some realism made it a bit more compelling. The only trouble with films that touch on true phenomenon is that they can be difficult to build an adequate story without going overboard and making it look too fictional. Many times we have seen directors attempting to boost the impact of their productions by adding unnecessary effects and basically discrediting the facts that are hidden deep below the distracting exterior.
The film starts slow enough, showing the interaction and love that Jonathan has for his wife which hopefully gives the audience a feeling for his purpose in trying to contact her through EVP. The trouble here was the emotion he showed for his wife’s untimely death, it wasn’t strong enough and there was only one small scene that showed Jonathan sobbing for his dead wife who had died so mysteriously. She slipped, she fell, she broke her arm and knocked herself out and then drowned when the tied came in and washed her away. Now that’s not normal! Bring in the team from CSI. Surely a bit of ranting and raving wouldn’t go amiss under the circumstances but instead he pursues the idea of being able to contact her through EVP and then gets into a search and rescue mission with his dead spouse acting as controller via the 'White Noise' of the TV set and radio.

There were some very scary moments thrown in amongst the character pieces including the three specters of death shown in the scrambled noise of the TV who nervously held your attention but never really delivered until the dramatic and terrifying climax, a climax that was so convincing that a member of the cinema audience actually screamed out loud during the ending sequence…gripping stuff and not something that happens often in a UK cinema. These demonic characters were the quintessence of the heightening tension but not enough was shown of them, which would have made the film even scarier had they had more involvement.
Michael Keaton, whom I have not seen in a major film since Jacky Brown, was aptly convincing in his EVP crusader role. I think his participation here was a good step for Keaton and I hope to see this talented versatile actor get more major movie offers in the future. The tragic nature of the film was captured admirably by other key cast members including Deborah Kara Unger as fellow EVP convert Jane and Mike, Keatons onscreen son played by Nicholas Elia whose alienation by his fathers obsession with this electronic phenomenon is palpable.

Although the story isn’t strong, White Noise is an entertaining film that does work and holds the attention of the viewer with its combination of cold-blooded tension and uneasy serenity.

Score