Keanu Drive-Thru.

[RustyK94]

I take it no one has seen My Own Private Idaho

[Petra_Kalbrain]

Originally Posted by RustyK94

I take it no one has seen My Own Private Idaho

Decent Keanu performance, not exactly great. But, River Pheonix on the other hand!

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by Petra_Kalbrain

I think that a matter of perspective needs to be taken in distinguishing between his best film and his best performance. For myself...

Constantine is his best performance.

The Matrix is the best film that he has been in.

Keanu Reeves-

There is craft. Then, there is presence. Often they co-exist. One is always dominant. ...He is himself in every role. Quiet, passive-aggressive, Keanu likes to smile, he plays himself. Like most stars, there are differences. From role to role, but generally, the core’s the same.

Constantine (2005) was an acting attempt. And very respectable; quiet, pained, reserved, he assumed more than himself. Yet, the film showed poor results. Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) prefers effects to performance. And the surrounding film combats Keanu completely. Even Rachel Weisz (effects veteran), is powerless against it. As much as Smith was defeated, so was Reeves.

Maybe if Peter Jackson directed it; it would be different.

On the other hand…

Speed (1994) has impeccable direction, superb ensemble. Dennis Hopper, Jeff Daniels, Joe Morton, and Sandra Bullock; that great script by Graham Yost. The film was off and running.

What’s interesting, isn’t Hopper (though that would be obvious); it’s Reeves. The typical Reeves traits are there. But a quiet intensity, a slight professionalism is also. A steely comfort in his own skin, a passion that seemed not his own; Reeves is not himself. Talking to the passengers, its Jack Traven not Keanu Reeves. Somewhere, he got lost. And a character emerged. Observant, aggressive, he has his own stride. Similar, but different than what were used to. Something was under the hood; we would never see again. A mainstream quality, Reeves was human. Not totally himself, something had gotten in. But would never get in again.

I can’t put my finger on it. But Speed gave Reeves. His best hit at bat, as an actor.

Working with Hopper, Daniels and Morton, or meeting Bullock, Reeves wasn’t on auto-pilot. A character was there. ..And Reeves best performance to date.

Thanks

[Ferris]

I was struggling between "The Matrix" and "The Devil's Advocate" as I like them the same. I ultimately went with TDA because I figued "Matrix" would end up with the most. Also, I think TDA is just under-rated.

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by Marquoz

Keanu pretty much doesn't act, he's always Keanu, but his characters work a lot better when they are tailored to him, or a lot like him.

Isn't that kind of like saying: "Gingerbread always tastes better when formed into little men!" ?

Logan

[Blu-Ron]

Speed FTW.
Never saw Matrix and never will.

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by Blu-Ron

Speed FTW.
Never saw Matrix and never will.

Why is that? If you don't mind me asking.

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by jadedeath

Isn't that kind of like saying: "Gingerbread always tastes better when formed into little men!" ?

Logan

Some careers work that way. Look at William Shatner, Steven Seagal, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Chuck Norris, Joe Don Baker, Dolph Lundgren, Bruce Lee, they could only work as cookies.

If you think about it.

Shatner could be borderline.

[Butthead]

What a crappy poll,

Keanu Reeves is known for matrix, nothing else

:noob:

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by Butthead

What a crappy poll,

Keanu Reeves is known for matrix, nothing else

:noob:

What a crappy answer. Bill & Ted, Point Break, and Speed fans would disagree.

Don't forget the Devil's Advocate.

Thanks.

[Sussudio]

Originally Posted by Butthead

What a crappy poll,

Keanu Reeves is known for matrix, nothing else

:noob:

i see your user name matches quite nicely with your posts

as to your other comment, many say otherwise. i thought speed and matrix were great roles for him, but i agree that for the most part he comes off as a fairly monotone and stale actor. someone said in another thread that day the earth stood still was perfect for him because he played a robot and robots don't have to show emotion

[Butthead]

Originally Posted by Sussudio

i see your user name matches quite nicely with your posts

as to your other comment, many say otherwise. i thought speed and matrix were great roles for him, but i agree that for the most part he comes off as a fairly monotone and stale actor. someone said in another thread that day the earth stood still was perfect for him because he played a robot and robots don't have to show emotion

Yeah, it was the perfect user name to socialize with people like u !

I don't think I need something better to actually deal with u xD

[Lacit170]

i voted for The Matrix because i love the movie. I really dont know if anyone else could have pulled off that character in the Matrix. His acting in Speed was probably his best performance imo.. although i have not seen all of his films... Constantine was a close 3rd

[RoboDan]

Originally Posted by bruce_pullen

Keanu Reeves-

There is craft. Then, there is presence. Often they co-exist. One is always dominant. ...He is himself in every role. Quiet, passive-aggressive, Keanu likes to smile, he plays himself. Like most stars, there are differences. From role to role, but generally, the core’s the same.

Constantine (2005) was an acting attempt. And very respectable; quiet, pained, reserved, he assumed more than himself. Yet, the film showed poor results. Francis Lawrence (I Am Legend) prefers effects to performance. And the surrounding film combats Keanu completely. Even Rachel Weisz (effects veteran), is powerless against it. As much as Smith was defeated, so was Reeves.

Maybe if Peter Jackson directed it; it would be different.

On the other hand…

Speed (1994) has impeccable direction, superb ensemble. Dennis Hopper, Jeff Daniels, Joe Morton, and Sandra Bullock; that great script by Graham Yost. The film was off and running.

What’s interesting, isn’t Hopper (though that would be obvious); it’s Reeves. The typical Reeves traits are there. But a quiet intensity, a slight professionalism is also. A steely comfort in his own skin, a passion that seemed not his own; Reeves is not himself. Talking to the passengers, its Jack Traven not Keanu Reeves. Somewhere, he got lost. And a character emerged. Observant, aggressive, he has his own stride. Similar, but different than what were used to. Something was under the hood; we would never see again. A mainstream quality, Reeves was human. Not totally himself, something had gotten in. But would never get in again.

I can’t put my finger on it. But Speed gave Reeves. His best hit at bat, as an actor.

Working with Hopper, Daniels and Morton, or meeting Bullock, Reeves wasn’t on auto-pilot. A character was there. ..And Reeves best performance to date.

Thanks

Very well said. Although, I would argue that he has lost himself in other roles as well. Just very subtly. Either way, great observance.

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by RoboDan

Very well said. Although, I would argue that he has lost himself in other roles as well. Just very subtly. Either way, great observance.

Thank you. What other roles?

[RoboDan]

Originally Posted by bruce_pullen

Thank you. What other roles?

First that would spring up to mind was his portrayal in Constantine. But after reading your thoughts on the film, it is interesting enough that his performance does in fact feel 'lost' in the effects of the film. But I thought his turn in that was great. Sure, he had some typical Keanu 'tics', but every actor has that. I honestly thought that his role in 'A Walk in the Clouds' was not your typical Keanu performance. I'm not quite sure what it is about it, but it stands out in my mind more so than his other roles. Now, I'm not saying that his performance in that trumps Speed. But, there is something there. I havent' seen the film in years though, so it might just be my memory playing with me.

I was also keen on his performance in 'A Scanner Darkly', but I'm sure most people wouldn't consider that your average role to rank...

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by RoboDan

First that would spring up to mind was his portrayal in Constantine. But after reading your thoughts on the film, it is interesting enough that his performance does in fact feel 'lost' in the effects of the film. But I thought his turn in that was great. Sure, he had some typical Keanu 'tics', but every actor has that. I honestly thought that his role in 'A Walk in the Clouds' was not your typical Keanu performance. I'm not quite sure what it is about it, but it stands out in my mind more so than his other roles. Now, I'm not saying that his performance in that trumps Speed. But, there is something there. I havent' seen the film in years though, so it might just be my memory playing with me.

I was also keen on his performance in 'A Scanner Darkly', but I'm sure most people wouldn't consider that your average role to rank...

Hmm... I would agree. I also liked him in Something's Gotta Give (2003). But that was more Keanu than character.

[bruce_pullen]

I thought there would be more fans of the Devil's Advocate (1997) strangely enough.

[PH3AR]

YES!

not only one that thought Point Break was his best movie!

[bruce_pullen]

Originally Posted by P|-|3@R

YES!

not only one that thought Point Break was his best movie!

"I am not a crook!"