NOISE
**** out of *****

Reviewed by Jarrod Baker

Screening in the 2007 New Zealand International Film Festival
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Genres
Crime
Drama

2007
Written and Directed by
Matthew Saville
Cast
Brendan Cowell
Maia Thomas
Richard Cawthorne

Movie cops are usually presented as somehow superhuman – while they're often flawed heroes, they manage to overcome their flaws and overcome impossible odds to catch the bad guy – usually through both their investigative genius and some incredible physical feats.

It's refreshing, then, to see a film like Noise, which presents the side of policing that you rarely see on film – the side where it's just like any other job. Sure, there are moments of excitement – but there's also endemic bureaucracy (cops are public servants, after all) and crushing boredom.

In Noise, the first feature from Australian writer/director Matthew Saville, Brendan Cowell plays a Melbourne policeman, Graham McGahan, who's basically just an average guy. By his own admission, he joined the police only because he "didn't have the marks to do anything else" and for him it's just another job. He's definitely no Lethal Weapon or Die Hard style supercop.

In fact, when it looks like there might be a serial murderer on the loose, McGahan has trouble seeing how it's his concern – he has problems of his own, including a crippling case of tinnitus, a constant ringing in his ears which means he often has difficulty hearing. Even worse is that it might be caused by a brain tumour, but he won't know until he gets the tests back.

McGahan's tinnitus gives Noise its title and its gimmick – sound is given prime importance in the film, with stunning sound design from Emma Bortignon. Every piece of the film's soundtrack – from dialogue to music to foley – is carefully considered, creating some striking effects, and giving a unique insight into McGahan's affliction.

Saville coaxes some impressively natural performances from his talented cast – every character is believable and fully rounded, with realistic and often uncomfortable dialogue in place of slickly scripted quips. It's still very funny in places though, perhaps showing up Saville's accomplished background as a director of television comedy. The dialogue is charmingly and unapologetically Australian – kind of like The Castle played straight – and this adds to the humour, bringing needed levity to some dark subject matter.

Because of the film's focus on character, the story is driven more by the issues in McGahan's life than the murders that overshadow it, and while this works well, it may not be to every filmgoer's taste. Certainly those who go in expecting an action film will be disappointed – as will those who prefer every little plot element to be neatly tied up.

Go in without expectations, however, and you're sure to be rewarded – Noise is a unique, well constructed and compelling film from a talented director. 

Recommended.

This film will screen in Wellington at The Embassy Theatre on July 31 at 8:45pm and at The Paramount on August 3 at 1:00pm.

Please refer to the Film Fest homepage for more information on screenings in other parts of the country

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