In general, anything with Michael Keaton in it is usually worth seeing. A new film, in which Michael Keaton not only stars but also directs, may be among the finest thriller films of the year, according to early assessments.
The movie, Knox Goes Away, is about a hitman who receives a dementia diagnosis. Not quite John Wick, this dark drama picture offers a fresh perspective on the industry as a whole and on the lead actor, with Keaton showcasing the full range of his filmmaking abilities.
In his review for Variety, Owen Glieberman writes, “Keaton gives a beautifully psychological performance,” while Pete Hammond writes in his review for Deadline, “We might have seen Humphrey Bogart or Robert Mitchum do the picture during their heyday.” Keaton seems to have really nailed this one.
Esther Zuckerman of Indiewire was less enthusiastic about the film but nonetheless praised Keaton’s first-half strategy: “Keaton’s performance is well-executed in the early going, as Knox deteriorates, the actor falls into an over-the-top staging of memory loss where he looks befuddled at every moment.”
The presence of Al Pacino as a co-star may persuade many viewers to see Knox Goes Away. Even if it doesn’t end up being one of the finest films you watch this year, it’s still worth seeing since it features two legendary actors riffing on each other in an age-old plot.
The screenplay was written by Gregory Poirier, and Keaton is directing for the second time after The Merry Gentlemen in 2009. As one of the finest performers to portray Batman, Keaton took back the role this year for The Flash; let’s hope this performs better than that.
