Powerful imaginative police psycho-drama

This could be the Aussie film of the year; certainly one of the best local features for some time. Quite an accomplishment being the first feature film from television director Matt Seville, who also wrote the script. Seville recently completed a biopic on Graeme Kennedy which will be aired on cable TV. But this is quite a different kettle of fish. It starts with a powerful visual wallop the aftermath of a mass shooting on a suburban train. Lavinia (Maia Thomas) is a lass who has just boarded the Lilydale train wearing headphones shut off from the world engrossed in her music when she suddenly notices the person in the next seat slowly collapse to the floor.

It is then she realises there are a number of bodies lying in the compartment. It is the scene of a shocking massacre and perhaps the killer is still there. The sequence recalls the tension of Last Train to Freo. She manages to escape and becomes the only witness the police have who may be able to identify the perp. Lavinia is dead scared that she will also be on the murderer's hit list as he knows her name and address.

This is one of the two parallel stories, the other is about a self absorbed cop PC Graham McGahan (Brendan Cowell) who suffers from tinnitus, a severe ringing in the ears, and is downgraded to duty in a caravan after blacking out on an escalator at another crime scene. Despite having a doctor's certificate his chief takes little notice, and seems determined to keep him on roster. McGahan is given the night shift in the police van at suburban Sunshine close to where a local girl was murdered in a pretty dismal location. There may even be a link between the massacre on the train and the local killing.

McGahan, a cop almost by default, is full of doubts and worries since the tinnitus may be caused by a tumour. At the home he shares with girlfriend Caitlin (Katie Wall), he smokes a bit of dope, and gets increasingly concerned about his condition. Yet he is forced to come to grips with the few locals who call late night to his van including the dead girl's fiancé Dean Stouritis (Luke Elliot) and Lucky Phil (Simon Laherty) a local lad with intellectual disadvantage who loves dressing up his dog. In the stunning dramatic conclusion the parallel stories finally come together. After the get up and grab you opening the McGahan story moves at a more modest pace much of it in the police van. We have shifted gears into a psychological study and perhaps the most significant dialogue takes place here yet a few could find this slows down the action. Unfortunately this may make the film art house rather than main stream cinema which would be a great pity.

What remains impressive is the convincing dialogue and acting. Characters remarkably believable like next door neighbours. Ordinary people placed in frightening situations in a nightmarish world; yet it's a world we all know well. Is there a whiff of Kafka? But there is hope and optimism as McGahan finds in himself strength to deal with the his demons.

While the film is obviously Melbournian the brooding visual style is very European thanks to the fine camerawork of Laszlo Baranyai. Special mention for the imaginative soundscape by Emma Bortignon which captures and expands the audible effects of tinnitus with complex audio mixing and the equally disturbing quiet of Lavinia's entry to the train carriage. The performances especially the leads Brendon Cowell (Love My Way, Salem's Lot) and Maia Thomas (Clubland, All Saints, The Secret Life of Us) are extemporary, supported by a creditable cast mostly from TV. Quite a pool of talent. Don't doubt that after seeing Noise, people will be wanting a taxi home.

John Bale

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Noise

Our rating:

Director: Matthew Saville
Cast: Brendan Cowell, Katie Wall, Nicholas Bell, Luke Elliot, Simon Laherty and Maia Thomas
Release: 3 May 2007
Rated: MA 15+

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