Review | White Noise - Future of the Force

“White Noise is by far the weirdest film I have seen in a long time. It’s a burlesque comedy that sometimes drags on for too long. But, it’s definitely worth watching for Adam Driver’s bewitching performance.”

Noah Baumbach’s latest film White Noise will hit Netflix next week. Once again, he teamed up with Adam Driver to bring this story to life.

STORY

(L to R) Sam Nivola as Heinrich, Adam Driver as Jack, May Nivola as Steffie, Greta Gerwig as Babette, Dean Moore/Henry Moore as Wilder and Raffey Cassidy as Denise in *White Noise*. Cr. Wilson Webb/Netflix © 2022

White Noise follows Jack Gladney, a university professor and his family as they deal with everyday life. It is the weirdest film I have seen in a long time. So, when you watch it don’t try to make it make sense because it won’t. Indeed, it is a convoluted mess with plots succeeding one another without clear connections. The best way to describe it is as an absurdist work. Because this is exactly what it is. I can tell you this film won’t be for everyone. After all, I don’t think a lot of people want to watch 136 minutes of nonsense.

Moreover, scenes often drag on for too long with endless dialogues that don’t seem to have any point in moving the plot. Indeed, it is a lot of talking for nothing. At the beginning, the film did seem promising – an airborne toxic event happening in the city. I thought it would follow up on that, there was definitely a lot to do with this. However, the film just suddenly moves on to something else entirely unrelated. Why? And there was a lot of why popping up in my head when watching this film.

Nevertheless, you will have an occasional laugh for the ridiculous situations the characters are in. There is a burlesque comedy aspect to the film, which surely helps make it more bearable to watch.

CAST

*WHITE NOISE* – (L-R) Don Cheadle (Murray) and Adam Driver (Jack). Cr: Wilson Webb/NETFLIX © 2022

But what really saves this film is Adam Driver. This is an extremely talented actor and he does not disappoint here. Indeed, he delivers a bewitching performance. Every time he is on screen, you are drawn to him. He owns the screen. I also can’t forget to mention Don Cheadle who is also a scene stealer.

VISUALS

*WHITE NOISE* – Adam Driver (Jack). Cr: Wilson Webb/NETFLIX © 2022

Moreover, this film perfectly recreates the visuals of the eighties. The clothes, the cars, the haircuts, the interior designs, everything is there. If this film does anything, it is to transport you to that era. And to add to the atmosphere of the time, the picture is slightly grainy and quite colorful like the films from the eighties. Undoubtedly, it is a work with a great visual value.

VERDICT

White Noise is by far the weirdest film I have seen in a long time. Don’t try to make it make sense because it won’t. It’s a burlesque comedy that sometimes drags on for too long. But, it’s definitely worth watching for Adam Driver’s bewitching performance.