A Killer's Memory

When watching movies across many era's, certain actors stand out more than others. It requires excellence across many projects, and due to the rich history of film, there are a lot of names on this list. Some obvious classic names are Bogart, Grant, Steward and Hepburn, Kelly, Bergman - and I think the further one goes back (within reason), the easier it is to identify these exceptional, stand out performers. But they exist in every era, and to finally come around to my point Michael Keaton is one of these great performers in the modern era.

Worth mentioning that the great performance in Knox Goes Away is also Keaton's direction debut - though I'm sure Keaton understands more about direction at this point than many of the film makers he's worked with, just due to his work within the media.

Knox Goes Away is about a hardened, professional criminal at the end of his prime. He would be able to still do his job if it weren't for a rare condition revealing itself as a rapidly deteriorating mind. Knox (Keaton's character) has enough self awareness to see his fate coming, and takes steps to resolve his life the best he can. But surprise! A desperate family situation arrives at his doorstep - making his plan to resolve things even more complex, and ultimately? His last great challenge to perform.

The greatness of this film is all Keaton's performance and his character's context. There's a tragic nature to the main character and his situation that as a viewer? Made me want him to succeed. I also wanted to know more about the main character, his past, and how he ended up choosing his line of work when he is portrayed as having so much intelligence and merit.

It's a really good movie. The lead is a complicated character, who is put in an impossible situation, and chooses to face the situation head on. Side characters are acceptable with Al Pacino probably being the most colorful and interesting in his few scenes. I'd say my favorite part of Knox Goes Away, besides Keaton, is a strong third act and satisfying ending, which so few films seem to have.

My biggest critique would be film pacing, which isn't bad, but would be a signifier of early directorial effort. I'd say the same about the camera work, which isn't Keaton, obviously the DP - but the director leads the DP, and the shots, while useful and fine, lack artistic finesse of a seasoned film maker. Lastly, most of the story elements and characters are cliche, and have a by the numbers scripting approach. I fully respected the straight continuity, and lack of script 'tricks'. It's not a movie that tries to hide anything, but also doesn't take too many chances.

I would say a must watch for fans of Keaton. Also a strong recommendation for fans of crime drama cinema with noir elements.

When a contract killer has a rapidly evolving form of dementia, he is offered an opportunity to redeem himself by saving the life of his estranged adult son.

His character (John Knox) has to learn to accept that his life is going to be shortened by a disease, but as his estranged son comes to him out of the blue he sees an opportunity to see right by his ex wife and son and redeem himself for the life he has led. It must be said that Keaton grabs attention in his first scenes. His acting is purely on point and he clearly has seasoned over many years.

It's quite slow paced but not to the extent that you get impatient. It's more like being given time to savour what's going on. There's no massively intrusive score to ruin the scenes either which is very welcome.

The plot has a great twist but not one that seems contrived or just there to shock. It's part of a long drawn out plan of Knox's and although it's not hard to work it out early on, it still impresses with it's simplistic but effective machinations.

There is genuine tension at times and yet you can't help think that Knox is playing this all with a dark sense of humour. It's still very poignant though that in order to redeem his past, he has to accept that he has no future. He does this gracefully and willingly and I forgave him his every sin.

A solid 7 from me for a great thriller/murder/mystery.

What a sharp movie! I really enjoyed this film! Michael Keaton really does great directing this film as well as acting in this film. Al Pacino really was fun as well. Very interesting character. The movie takes place around a contract killer that is diagnosed with a very fast movie type of dementia. Very fast moving. But he is given the opportunity to redeem himself. Which is a very crazy situation within its self. The opportunity that he is given is after his son shows up at his front door covered in blood because he kills the man who impregnate his teenage daughter he can make things right by helping is son get out of this mess he has put himself in. The film is great. It is very dark, gritty, and just overall great!

Michael Keaton is like on a comeback streak. I think. He is not participating on several movies each year, as Bruce Willis did, at last two decades, but the pattern of coming back and especially into good and large projects, demonstrates that this iconic actor is returning to the main stage, and not once or twice.

This time he is also directing. At the second time of his long career. What a miss that he only did it twice, but maybe after this time he will do it again. For this movie, probably not knowing too much will serve the viewers better. It is a film that the less you know, the bigger surprise will be once you start watching it.

We had our share of movies about dementia. We've got heart breaking drama movies and even the biggest of all, Christopher Nolan's "Memento". Well...Keaton is no Nolan, but they both have a heavy batman connection, so it might help. This time it is Memento style, but with another Twist regarding how and when the dementia starts and when is it taking the part at main character's life.

It is not a brilliant and extraordinary story. But it is captivating. The story drops some details, that could have been relevant and add to the plot's twists, but it has enough going on to justify the runtime and the interest, from the viewers side. You cannot stop, once it has started and this is the true magic of the movie.

Keaton pulls a few wild cards for this feature - James Marsden, Marcia Gay Harden and even the wrinkly Al Pacino. They are all side characters, that are fun to watch, though no one is actually outstands Keaton's characters. He also took the great polish actress - Joanna Kulig for a short ride and she is a great add-on to this film.

It is now an outstanding and brilliant movie, but it is so well written and performed, that you cannot even go to take a leak while watching it. I cannot even say that it felt longer than it should have been and this is one of the surprising movies that I wasn't expecting anything and got almost everything.

Michael Keaton has demonstrated remarkable visualization in his debut as actor-director. While most actor-directors show competence, Michael Keaton created genuine visual artistry. Although one success does not establish excellence of talent, Keaton appears to have a promising future as a director. Knox Goes Away is on par with actor-director works by Clint Eastwood, Ben Affleck, Kenneth Branagh, Richard Attenborough, Greta Gerwig, etc....

The trend toward actor-producers has been quite beneficial to the quality of product in the industry -- to maintain artistic integrity rather than completely pandering to business profit. It also invites appearances by upper echelon performers, who otherwise would decline working on a particular project. Here, the example is Al Pachino. And the result is analogous to "form follows function."