This is seriously one of Tim Robbins best performances right on par with his character Andy Dufresne from the award winning film The Shawshank Redemption (1994). In this movie Noise (2007) we see him as a man named David Owen who is completely fed up with the way the city is dealing with noises from car alarms. He creates an alter ego for himself called The Rectifier, and starts taking things into his own hands due to the lack of assistance from the authorities. He even ends up in jail, and also tries to fight the system through the courtroom in small claims courts.
The story continues to emerge into something more as a message to everyone dealing with this kind of “noise pollution” of sorts. His wife is played by the lovely Bridget Moynahan from movies like I Robot (2004) with Will Smith. In this film, she gives him an ultimatum as it begins to affect their daily lives. They also have a small child named Chris Owen played by Gabrielle Brennan. You will also see William Hurt in this film playing Mayor Schneer, his Chief of staff is played by William Baldwin. Margarita Levieva plays Ektaterina Filippovna a Russian woman who finds out who he really is. The story takes a turn from this point on.
This movie also raises some interesting questions, and can be looked at from different ways, a society that has failed him with the way the system is setup or that he failed society with his actions that he took towards people and their personal property. At least that was the intention that director Henry Bean seemed to convey with his script. The character also reminds me of the one that actor Michael Douglas played in the movie Fallen Down (1993). Both of these characters snapped mentally, and lashed out towards things around them. This movie is definitely worth a watch and I think you will find it entertaining.
This movie was directed by Sean Penn who does a bit of gorilla filmmaking in this picture. The lead character in this story is played by actor Emile Hirsch, from such movies as Speed Racer (2008). His talent shines through as Chris McCandless a young man who turns his back on the ways of modern day society. He becomes a drifter and decides to adventure into the wilderness with nearly nothing after giving away $24,000 to charity. He meets all types of people along the way of his travels. And he sees nature with a clear set of eyes.
There is some added narration done by his sister who is played by talented actress Jena Malone who you might remember from the movies Cheaters (2000) or Saved! (2004). I happen to remember her from the movie Donnie Darko (2001). His parents are played by William Hurt as Walt McCandless and Marcia Gay Harden as Billie McCandless. There are a few other noted actors that appear in this one such as Catherine Keener as Jan Burres and Vince Vaughn as Wayne Westerberg. You will also see up comer Kristen Stewart as Tracy Tatro from Twilight (2008) and Zach Galifanakis from The Hangover (2009) as Kevin.
What sets this story apart, is the way it was told, and how we see the character Chris depart from all that he has known in his life. He enters a deeper world of adventure and danger. He struggles to find himself along the way, and his actions ultimately decide what happens. The music was an interesting choice for the scene transitions and becomes an anthem through the film as he tries to make his way to Alaska. If you have the time, it might be worth the watch, the movie is long.
