I've often
called actors "underplayers" due to their
ability to act within a truly normal region and
never get out of their characters and draw
attention to themselves. If only one actor could
fit this description, though, it would be
Michael Keaton. With the exception of a few
roles, Keaton has constantly proven himself to
be the master underplayer. I always forget that
it's him during a movie not only because of how
good he always is, but because of how well he
stays within limits.
In "White Noise," which bears the honor of being
the first film of 2005, he plays a man who loses
his wife and discovers Electronic Voice
Phenomenon, or EVP, a theory that says that the
dead can contact us through static on a
television or radio. As he pries deeper and
deeper to hear and see his wife in brief sound
clips and images, he uncovers a shocking truth:
not all ghosts are good, and particularly
violent ones seem to be after him.
Like "The Ring," White Noise" is a horror story
involving tapes. Unlike "The Ring," this film is
based on an actual phenomenon. EVP is a real
thing. Whether you believe it's ghosts or not,
this adds to the mystery and horror of the
story. What if you were to leave a tape recorder
running in an empty room? What will you recover?
What if the voice of a loved one was to be
heard? Or the voice of an evil sounding man
telling you to "Get Out"? I don't know about
you, but the very prospect scares me shitless
and adds to the terror of "White Noise."
Terror. It's not a word often associated with
modern horror. Films like "The Exorcist" are
hard to find. "The Ring" and "The Grudge" may be
proof that horror is making a comeback, and
"White Noise" does nothing to detract from that.
It starts off slowly, with the first scare
coming a good 30 minutes in, but once it gets
rolling, it's a freaky and suspenseful trip that
had me on the verge of ripping my armrests off.
Why the "B-" then? "White Noise" was a B
film...until the final five minutes. After a
blatant deus ex machina, the director gives an
unsatisfying ending that tries to force one more
scare upon the audience. This is ineffective, to
say the least.
"White Noise" is a nice way to begin the year.
In addition to the frights, it is a mainstream
film with a soul. It's well acted and filled
with people we really care about. Keaton is
simply wonderful, and it makes me only wish he
did more these days.
This is a scary New Year's Treat that is worh
the ride. Take it.
©
Written by Jacob Hall
TC Candler's Comment
n/a
Richard
Propes' Comment
Ever find
yourself wondering why a wonderful actor like
Michael Keaton seems to stay forever on the
Hollywood "B" or "C" list of actors? You need
look no further than this remarkably average
film blessed by Keaton's tremendous presence.
Keaton's disciplined, energetic performance is
the only reason "White Noise" made any noise at
the box-office.
