WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The fractured reality of a tormented soul. If we have allowed harsh circumstances, whether in or out of our control, dominate our minds, it almost always leads to a point of breaking, a place where nothing good can truly come from any actions we take, and so–we surrender to it. As this skewed view of all around us keeps eating away at who we once were and now find ourselves a prisoner to, what will it take to ever seek much less discover a path out? For embittered late night/early morning talk radio host Jude Wilcox (Gorman Ruggiero), each day and evening is spent releasing the turmoil within. Angry at the world with only a beloved nephew, Hunter (Jack Packer), representing any sense of minute stability, the current shift he’s barely enduring this particular night will become a catalyst for an unforeseen reminder that will shake his world to the core.
Next, my Mind:
An absolutely sobering, unequivocally jarring, profoundly stirring portrait of buried animosity, deep-seated pain, the desperation of hopelessness, and the overwhelming potency of innocence, faith, and unconditional love gets painted on the canvas of a wholly believable and fully essential core message thanks to another deftly executed short film effort from writer/director/executive producer Bradley Hawkins, writer/producer Peter Fenton, co-producers Sugey Cruz, Ryan Geesaman, and Andreas Quiroga, executive producer Gorman Ruggiero, associate producer Jackie Walker, and consulting producer Sarah Hawkins. This is the second short this critic has had the opportunity to take in from Hawkins and Co. (the first being the stellar “Calf Rope”, reviewed HERE), and while the latter was a study in the power of legacy and influential bonds we cultivate, this takes on a much darker road, yet so adeptly finds the means to infuse the one thing it very much appears would NOT make its presence known–hope.
Seen from the perspective of a decidedly resentful, evidently disillusioned man who hosts the most unforgiving shift on a local radio station that he subsequently uses as both a sounding board for his own demons as well as listening to the outpouring of others’ as well, the narrative moves along with well-written and paced momentum that just immerses you as the viewer into this dank actuality, yet beautifully managing to do so with engaging, constantly building tension and heaviness that suits the story to a “T” and draws you into it with a fervor that you tangibly feel from start to finish. The sheer roughness of the tone presented is SUCH a jolting departure from “Calf Rope” that part of you almost wants to believe this is NOT coming from the same filmmaker. But is this not the excellence of indie cinema and its artists? To be able to create atmospheres of both elation and weight but deliver equal magnitude of quality and relevant significance–THAT is the wonder of moviemaking done RIGHT.
And its this underlying concept that provides this film with its bite, as in the midst of total emotional anarchy and utter despair, there shines a beacon of light that very much realistically permeates the foundational shadowy thematic base, giving us a twist and a finale that drives home a HIGHLY important statement that NEEDS to be HEARD, acting as such a magnificently designed and timely cinematic billboard that we as humanity should witness and take to heart as the awareness-raising battle cry it is. How the narrative not only explores its primary facet but then offers tie-in tangents that cover the purity of innocence, unwavering belief tempered with equally affecting love, compassion, and commitment, the healing power of total transparency, loss, and blunt truth conveyed in the face of supposedly unavoidable, “incurable” anguish. All of this meshes and morphs together to form the evocatively persuasive whole, leaving you both drained on some levels but then fully emancipated and deeply moved to an amazing degree. Plus, let’s speak about the prowess of words as shown here–honestly, watch the film as it will impart volumes of truth about what ruin and redemption they contain!
Visually the film is masterfully shot in such a way as to embody the dark elements and ideas being shown but also then transfixes you with a lasting image of liberation by the finale. I must point out the wonderfully composed music score from Cory Rosen as well, for it resonates with ominous intent throughout the film’s runtime but, like the imagery, takes on a whole new life by the end. Ruggiero impresses once again, but this time trades in the fun-loving grandfather demeanor for a far more damaged, raging, indignant persona via his role here as Jude, a late night radio DJ whose more than garnered a reputation for just being a NOT nice guy. Despite this, he listens to callers and their rants, burdened and engulfed by the painful mundaneness of it and the toll it takes on him. But, when a phone call he doesn’t see coming enters his bleak existence, will it be a harbinger of deliverance and personal reclamation in a moment of complete despondency?
Ruggiero plumbs the well of grounded intensity, inner fire, and forceful energy while also presenting moments of outright understatement that lends depth to what COULD have been, in my opinion, a potentially one-dimensional character. Instead, we’re entreated to a character you want to hate, yet cannot end up doing anything else but empathizing with. A fantastic performance throughout from the actor. The primary supporting role arrives from talented young thespian Packer as Jude’s nephew Hunter, a boy who might be facing his own battles as well. If he finds the means to alleviate himself of the weight he carries, that remains to be seen, as having a heart of gold can be both help and hinderance when facing trials. Packer really embodies the role in a way that echoes the film’s supporting themes. Additional supporting roles arrive from Alex Joseph Pires as a fellow radio DJ at the station who has–strong–feelings about what he thinks about Jude, Jeffrey Yunginger, Carter Geesaman, and via voice only Michael Mowen (a particularly abrasive caller!), Avery Kellington, Joan Haines, Austin Valli, Kristin Zembower, Jewel Christian, Dan Griffin, and Will Rittweger as the other “voices in the night”.
So, in total, “Night Voices” becomes a formidably dynamic admonition about the dangers of withheld enmity, discarded convictions, and unchecked hostility but then soars skyward with credible, dominant, meaningful poignancy that showcases what we should all embrace even in the darkest of times we might encounter or need to confront–tomorrow IS the dawn of a NEW day for not just this physical body we inhabit, but more importantly, the SOUL.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
