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WHITE NOISE (2005)
Genre: Drama, horror, mystery, Sci-Fi.
Rated PG-13 for violence, disturbing
images, and language.
Directed by: Geoffrey Sax. Written
by: Niall Johnson.
Tagline: Dead calling the living,
over!
Is it possible for the dead to continue
communications once they have passed into another realm? White Noise
attempts to address just that; the concept of Electronic Voice Phenomenon,
a method in which the dead utilize recording machinery as a medium
through which to make contact with the living. But is this astonishing
gift just a hoax? Moreover, if EVP is an actual phenomenon, what
does that imply for all those spirits out there who may not harbor
warm feelings towards the living? In a heart-racing tale of death,
depression, and discovery, "White Noise" will visually display the
paradox that is the phenomenon of EVP in successful practice, focusing
on the character John Rivers and his recently deceased wife, Anna. |
Summary:
It seems everything is going
according to plan for Jonathan Rivers, successful estate agent, father
of little rascal Mikey, and proud husband of his beautiful author wife,
Anna; mother to be. But on a night that is supposed to be friendly cocktails
and celebrating for Anna's upcoming novel, Anna leaves home never to return.
Mysteriously, in the middle of the night the clock on the wall stops and
suddenly all the electronic appliances in the house go bezerk. Could it
be Anna's warning of her passing? Or, is it just a power surge?
The next day Anna's car is found wrecked
on the side of the road, her body missing. Local officials prognosticate
Anna was thrown and drowned in the Marina, but without a body there is
no conclusive evidence. Grief stricken, Jonathan attempts to go about
his daily routine, with an obvious dilapidation in character and zeal.
It isn't until Jonathan notices he is being followed by a presence that
he feels he has anything to live for. Approaching Jonathan, the man declares
himself to be an expert medium in the assistance of communication between
the living and the dead via EVP. Raymond Price claims that this EVP is
the exact convention in which Jonathan's wife, Anna, has been trying to
contact him.
But Jonathan isn't entirely convinced
and would like to think the man more quack than fact. But Anna won't desist
with her attempts at contact, and neither will Raymond with his efforts
to convince Jonathan of the validity of this phenomenon. It isn't until
the police show up with news of having found Anna's body that Jonathan
begins to believe that Raymond price may be right.
Flash forward to six months later
where Jonathan's cell phone rings, having been dialed from Anna's cell!
Contacting Raymond, Rivers heads to his house to learn more about the
paranormal activities of EVP. It is there, six months later that Rivers
begins to believe, after Raymond plays back a tape with a recording of
Anna's voice. Upon the discovery of EVP's validity, Rivers becomes obsessed
with the concept of EVP. In fact, he goes and purchases all of the necessary
equipment and sets up shop at home, staying up nights on end in hopes
of receiving another contact from his wife.
In addition to the spooky messages
however, the deceased can also allegedly make contact through image, by
appearing on a distorted television screen of snow. As they begin to appear
on the recording, a shadowy yet discernible image appears in contrast
to the snow (white noise); allowing one to see their deceased in another
realm. But as Jonathan's endeavors increase, his attention to his everyday
responsibilities, including that of his own son, begin to wane.
Eventually Jonathan is contacted by
what seems a menacing spirit(s). Though he has no solid proof, the spirits
appear in a shadowy trio, and when their message is finally deciphered,
it is anything but friendly. As Anna begins to project images of people's
deaths over EVP, strangely deaths paralleling those in EVP begin to occur
in the real world. Are these dead spirits the cause behind the mystery
deaths that haven't yet occurred? Of course this theory poses a huge problem
for people's opinions of Jonathan's sanity, and thus he confided only
in his friend Raymond Price, the medium suddenly found dead in his vandalized
house.
Not sure what to do, Jonathan visits
a palm reader who tells him that there is something out there who wants
him to stop interfering. She also tells him to visit Willow Ave. As the
mystery unravels people begin to die, one by one, including River's close
friend Sarah. With news of a missing women being broadcasted on the news,
Jonathan realizes Anna is telling him to go find her and save her from
death. What's more her location holds the answer to all of River's questions
about EVP, Anna's death, and the involvement of the shadowy menaces. In
the final climactic moment Rivers discovers the premeditation of his wife's
death and the possibility that not all white noise is a friendly hello.
Overall the special effects were rather
subtle, yet tasteful. Much of the effects focused on the production of
images and shadows, which, though not spectacular in content, were intriguingly
alluring and aided in the production of suspense. The ending however was
a difficult endeavor for the director. I personally was disappointed and
felt that the climax was rushed and incomplete. Though the mystery is
revealed, there is no lingering tension between the moment of climax and
the downward descent towards the ending; the intriguing final scene that
immediately follows thereafter however, possibly justifies its waning
predecessor. I believe each viewer will walk away with a different opinion
about the film itself. As for the subject matter, I could not imagine
a single viewer not being truly intrigued, or at least mystified and even
frightened by the concept of EVP: a concept that was the anchor and saving
grace of the film.
Pay attention to the scenes involving
the analysis and deciphering of EVP. The scenes are done very tastefully
and the most unnerving part is the knowledge that this in an actual event
that occurs in reality. These scenes render the true feelings of horror
and delight, a paradox of mixed emotions that result from the frightening
enjoyment of contacting the dead.
With a rather poignant performance
from Michael Keaton, "White Noise" is an extremely intriguing film. What's
more, the scariest part of the film is the realization that EVP is an
actual valid practice with documented evidence of contact for the past
century. This is not some 'hoaxy' story told to scare you into bed. EVP
is a real-life phenomenon that doesn't always render the friendliest of
consequences. If anything "White Noise" should be watched for the mere
edification of the phenomenon of EVP. The scariest part may not be the
movie itself, but rather the realization that the valid convention of
EVP allows for the movie's scenario to actually happen in real life! This
may be the first frighteningly realistic ghost tale in a very long time.
Cast overview:
Michael
Keaton plays Jonathan Rivers, a man haunted by the mysterious disappearance
and death of his beloved wife Anna, who seems to be trying to contact
him from another dimension.
Chandra West plays Anna Rivers, a
beloved writer and wife of Jonathan Rivers, whose night out with the girls,
turns out to be her last.
Ian McNeice plays Raymond Price, the
paranormal medium that helps Rivers come in contact with his wife through
the phenomenon of EVP.
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