November 30, 2022 – If existential comedies were a movie genre, it would be limited to very few films. I've only seen a couple that I think fit that title, “White Noise” (2022) and “I ♥ Huckabees” (2004) although I have seen a great many other films that other people classify as existential comedies, such as “Groundhog Day.”

“White Noise” confronts the issue of death, fear of death, life after death, and of course, the meaning of life when considered in the light of those questions. This is deep and heavy stuff, which is perfect for comedy, and that is how it is treated, for the most part, in this film.

If you are going to confront the big picture of existence, you first need to strip away all the white noise of civilization and busy distractions of everyday life. This story, written and directed by Noah Baumbach (“Marriage Story”) and adapted from a Don DeLillo novel of the same name, accomplishes both by completely disrupting the lives of a family by means of a toxic chemical spill and unlicensed medications. The family is suddenly forced into survival mode and forced to confront existential threats and raw emotions.

The movie starts out with staccato, overlapping, witty dialog between college professor Jack Gladney (played by Adam Driver of “House of Gucci”) and his wife Babbette (played by Greta Gerwig of “Maggie's Plan”). The two have a lot of children, some of them from previous marriages, including his teenage son Heinrich (Sam Nivola) and daughter Denise (Raffey Cassidy of “Tomorrowland”) and daughter Steffie (May Nivola).

Jack is a leading professor of Nazi studies, but doesn't speak German, so he is taking lessons in preparation for a big Nazi Studies Conference at College-on-the-Hill, where he teaches. Fellow professor Murray Siskind (Don Cheadle of “Traitor”) is trying to build up his own Elvis Studies program, and hopes that Jack will help him.

Murray asks Jack to visit his Elvis lecture to lend his support to the program. Jack not only visits, but joins with Murray's Elvis lecture, combining it with a lecture on the popularity of Hitler in Germany in the 1930s. Jack is spellbinding as he convinces Murray's class that the Hitler's appeal is based on death. Although President Trump is not mentioned, the description of Trump's appeal and Hitler's appeal is easy to see.

Jack and Babbette seem to be riding high, but Denise notices that Babbette is secretly taking pills. When Denise finds a carefully hidden pill bottle, neither she nor her father can discover what the pills are, or who manufactures them. As far as Jack and Denise can discover the pills are not sold in any drug store. What are the pills for and where did Babbette get them?

Suddenly, a truck-train accident releases a nearby cloud of toxic chemicals threatening the entire community. Jack is in denial about the danger, so the family gets a late start on evacuation. The evacuation is a comedy of errors and panic, involving a dangerous river crossing and a lot of strange people at shelters.

Putting gas in the car at an abandoned service station, Jack is exposed to the toxic chemicals, and is told at a shelter (in an absurdly surreal way) that this may shorten his life. He keeps this information about his own exposure to himself. He doesn't even tell his doctor.

Upon return to home, both Jack and Babbette are changed by the experience. Jack finally decides to confront Babbette about the pills she has been secretly taking. This exposes more secrets about Babbette that shakes Jack to his very core. He tells Babbette about his toxic chemical exposure and sets off on a very dangerous course of action. His thoughts are black and he seethes with rage.

This movie defies expectations at every turn. I kept thinking it was going to turn serious, but it keeps changing direction. Absurd black comedy pops up from time to time, sometimes mixed with philosophical discussions and academic satire. The writing by Baumbach is very witty and clever. I found this movie to be challenging, witty, funny and entertaining, but it certainly isn't for all tastes. Even the video over the credits is funny.

The acting, especially by Gerwig and Driver, is excellent. The movie also features striking production design by Chris Farmer (“Little Women”) and cinematography by Lol Crawley (“Vox Lux”) as well as some good special effects. This movie rates a B.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff (no extra charges apply). I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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