by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Who doesn’t love Michael Keaton? He has had such a strange and entertaining career. Early on, he had Mr. Mom and Beetlejuice… two completely different types of roles. But then he became Batman,which was an unexpected and controversial decision at the time. In hindsight, many believe him to be their Batman, so it certainly worked out for him. There was a long time between big roles, as he took some time for his family. Coming back with comedies like The Other Guys, and almost winning an Oscar for Birdman,Keaton was back in the collective consciousness.
But what does Keaton have up his sleeve for his latest film, Knox Goes Away? Not only does he deliver in front of the camera, but he also gets behind it as well. He is fair from having a deep and rich directorial filmography. In Knox Goes Away, he portrays a contract killer whose whole career takes a turn towards retirement as he is diagnosed with a degenerative disease that is quickly destroying his memory. Where this thriller is at its best is when it is a poignant character study of a man reaching a crossroads in his life. He must set up his estranged family for life after him. The catalyst for the action is an expected turn on a job that leads to loss. The film delves deep into grief, loss, and trauma. Violence and its consequences take center stage.
Does this character-driven approach deliver in an impactful way? There are some struggles in the third act when the story becomes too convoluted and unfocused, and a few narrative decisions that also fall flat and distract from the central conflict, but it is the father-son connection through unexpected and complicated events that anchors the film. A few other supporting characters fill out a scene or two, but this central dynamic that drives the film forward. The first two acts are expertly structured and paced, and at least the film finds it focus again in the final scenes.
Does Keaton bring much to the table from a directing standpoint? There is a cool and effective tone to the film that keeps it moving well. Keaton does a great job of making sure it feels impactful but not excessive, despite some harsh moments of violence and gore. The way the film portrays memory loss is not quite as impressive or impactful as, say, a Hitchcock or Scorsese effort, but Keaton delivers something effective. There might not be as much tension as there should be at certain moments, but overall, this is an effective and competently created film.
What does the cast do in bringing Keaton’s vision to life? Keaton himself is impressive with his small choices and veteran confidence. James Marsden is a talented actor in the right situation, and he theoretically should have worked here, but he just feels out of place as Keaton’s estranged son, who struggles with escalation with his anger. Al Pacino is rock solid in a supporting role, and Marcia Gay Harden is fantastic in her limited role as Keaton’s ex-wife. Joanna Kulig is fantastic as Knox’s longtime sex worker, even if this story line loses its way a bit. Suzy Nakamura is also a strong addition as the detective on Knox’s tale. Luckily, most of the cast comes to play.
Does Keaton offer up an impressive late career effort in front of and behind the camera? If you watched the first two-thirds of this film, you might think this is a contender for the top film of 2024. Keaton is still able to drive his film to the finish line, even with a third act full of excess threads and mishandled reveals. Overall, Knox Goes Away is a fine effort with a leading performance that should get Keaton plenty of attention.
Rating: Liked It
Knox Goes Away is currently playing in theaters
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