What the Hell Happened to Keanu Reeves?

Keanu Reeves has worked with some of the greatest directors around.  He’s been directed by Ron Howard, Kathryn Bigelow, Lawrence Kasdan, Gus Van Sant, Francis Ford Coppola and Bernardo Bertolucci just to name a few.  His costars include Al Pacino, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Sandra Bullock and of course the legendary Alex Winter.  He’s done comedy, drama, action movies, period pieces and sci fi.  Speed made Reeves an action movie star and The Matrix made him an icon.  But post Matrix, Reeves’ career has slowed down.  His last unqualified hit was in 2003.

What the hell happened?

Keanu means “cool breeze over the mountains.”   Reeves was born in Lebanon and is of British, Portuguese, Native Hawaiian, and Chinese heritage.   His father went to jail for selling heroin at Hilo International Airport.  He abandoned his wife and family when Reeves was only three years old.  Reeves was 13 the last time he saw his father.

As a child, Reeves relocated frequently and spent time with several stepfathers.  He and his mother moved from Hawaii to Sydney, Australia and then to New York City.  Most of his childhood was spent in Toronto.  Reeves is actually a citizen of Canada.  As a student, Reeves struggled with dyslexia.  He gravitated to athletics over academics and excelled at hockey, eh.  After an injury ended Reeves’ hockey career, he dropped out of high school to pursue acting.

Before I go about ripping Reeves, let me say this: The man is, by all accounts, an extremely nice person. The internet is filled with stories of Reeves’ generosity.  He spent $5 million dollars on leukemia treatments for his sister, bought Harley Davidson motorcycles for the crew of The Matrix Reloaded,  given $20,000 to a set-builder who was down on his luck, and frequently bought breakfast and lunch for crew members on his movies.  He is quoted as saying ″Money is the last thing I think about. I could live on what I have already made for the next few centuries.″

According to the Wall Street Journal, Reeves signed away his back-end deal on the Matrix sequels.  An “unnamed movie executive” told the Journal that Reeves gave the back-end portion of his salary (estimated between $70-80 million dollars) to the special effects crew of the movies.  The source explained “He felt that they were the ones who made the movie and that they should participate.”

The man has dealt with a lot, given a lot of himself to others, and does films that interest him. I’m going to say I don’t like a lot of his films and find some of his performances lacking. But before I rag on any of that, I thought it was worth noting that as a human being, I very much admire him. So then.

Youngblood – 1986

Keanu Reeves - Youngblood - 1986
Keanu Reeves – Youngblood – 1986

After a series of TV appearances Reeves struck his first notable role in the Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze hockey vehicle Youngblood. Reeves’ experience playing hockey, and real life love of it surely helped in some form or fashion. Youngblood received a lukewarm reception as another feel good sports movie of no particular distinction… also it’s about hockey. So that.

Keanu Reeves - Act of Vengeance - 1986
Keanu Reeves – Act of Vengeance – 1986

Act of Vengeance – 1986

A TV movie starring Charles Bronson and Ellen Burstyn is actually a drama and not the action movie I was expecting. It has something to do with coal union workers, and has vengeance in the title, so there is some action, as assassinations are plotted. Reeves pops up in a small role. So does Wilford Brimley. Coal could cause diabetes. I have no idea what this movie is about. Reactions seems to be decent to it.

Flying (Teenage Dream) – 1986

Keanu Reeves - Teenage Dream - 1986
Keanu Reeves – Teenage Dream – 1986

This is one of those movies that nobody watched but when one person suddenly becomes a star later, is reissued with them now featured prominently on the cover. And boy what a bad cover it is. Here is the synopsis on IMDB, and even these sentences are hilarious:

Robin and her father have a car accident. Her father dies. Robin is badly injured and cannot compete in gymnastics tournaments anymore. Shattered dreams. She lives with her mother and bad step-father. Robin is accepted to the school athletics team but is not accepted by some other girls, so she works out at a friend’s house. Eventually Robin and her team compete in the national scholastic meet.

I can’t imagine more needs to be said.

There’s the whole movie I think. You’re welcome… I think.

Brotherhood of Justice – 1986

Keanu Reeves and Billy Zane – Brotherhood of Justice – 1986
Keanu Reeves and Billy Zane – Brotherhood of Justice – 1986

Reeves continued working busily in 1986 with this bargain bin movie (another that tries to capitalize on the later names of the stars) where he and Kiefer Sutherland star as high school students turned vigilantes turned thugs. Violence is never the answer rich kids. Unless you’re Batman. Then it is.

River’s Edge – 1986

Keanu Reeves - The River's Edge - 1986
Keanu Reeves – The River’s Edge – 1986

His first film to get good reviews starred Crispin Glover and Reeves as friends to a teenager who had murdered his girlfriend and showed his friends the body. Nobody calls the cops. It’s inspired by a true story and poses a lot of questions that it doesn’t have the answers to. Why would anyone do this? The kids are strung out and have no future before they even get started. Roger Ebert called it the best film analyzing murder since In Cold Blood. Critics enjoyed it and it didn’t make much, but did double its minuscule budget. Reeves by all accounts puts in a strong performance, in a supporting role.

Under the Influence/ Babes in Toyland / Trying Times – 1986

Keanu Reeves - Babes in Toyland - 1986
Keanu Reeves – Babes in Toyland – 1986

More TV stuff, a movie in Under the Influence which stars Andy Griffith as an aging patriarchal alcoholic whose dependency is destroying his family (talk about playing against type) and Reeves is one of his sons. Babes is a Drew Barrymore starrer that looks awful. Trying Times was an anthology series which featured some one-offs from people like Stockard Channing, Spalding Gray, and others.

The Night Before/ Prince of Pennsylvania/ Permanent Record – 1988

Keanu Reeves - Permanent Record - 1988
Keanu Reeves – Permanent Record – 1988

So this is the point where Reeves starts getting lead roles. Night Before stars Reeves as a high schooler who wakes up the next morning in an alley after prom with no memory of how he got there. He recovers his memory through flashbacks and hijinks as he apparently got into all sorts of trouble the night before. Reviews on IMDB are actually relatively nice. Reeves shows flashes of the sense of humor that will make him a star in the upcoming years.

Permanent Record is another high school drama where Reeves’ best friend kills himself, so he takes over his responsibilities. It flopped commercially but Roger Ebert gave it 4 stars and credited as one of the best of the year. Again, Reeves received strong reviews as he continued to spread his dramatic chops as a teenager (role wise).

Prince of Penn is a comedy with Fred Ward where Reeves kidnaps his dad so he doesn’t have to be a blue-collar worker, only to find nobody wants to pay the ransom… sounds hilarious.

Dangerous Liaisons – 1988

Keanu Reeves - Dangerous Liaisons - 1988
Keanu Reeves – Dangerous Liaisons – 1988

Now we start getting to the stuff worth getting to. Dangerous Liaisons is about a bunch of rich French aristocrats who are bored with being rich (this never works out) and start trouble in their personal lives. Now, in today’s terms it sounds preposterous to think of a hot and steamy affair starring John Malkovich and Glenn Close (whom I’ve always suspected was the inspiration for the character Odo on Star Trek: Deep Space 9. Honestly, doesn’t she look like a changeling? Anywho), but back then they were hot. I assume.

Close bets Malkovich that he can’t seduce a virtuous woman played by Michelle Pfeiffer.  Malkovich rises to the challenge.  Reeves played a naive young man caught up in a dangerous game of seduction.  Uma Thurman played his true love.  The couple becomes caught in a web of social politics and sexual manipulation.

Dangerous Liaisons was an adaptation of the play, Les liaisons dangereuses which has been adapted several times including the 90’s version, Cruel Intentions.  One year after, Dangerous Liaisons, Milos Forman released his adaptation, Valmont.  Stephen Frears directed this version. It was well received and did well in the box office in relation to its budget. It was hailed as sexy, smart, witty, and alive.

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure – 1989

Keanu Reeves - Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure - 1989
Keanu Reeves – Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure – 1989

And it begins (I also began, being born this year). The now classic 80s comedy that hangs right there with the John Hughes classics of the time. It follows a couple of dimwit teenagers, who, preparing for a history class presentation, get help from a time machine. Hijinks ensue. Reeves has been fighting to escape the stereotype of Ted ever since. Fun fact, originally Alex Winter and Reeves auditioned for the opposite roles they were cast in. He also beat out Pauly Shore. Now imagine Pauly Shore in “Speed.” Reeves marks his first career defining role, for better and worse. He’s hilarious, nobody can take that from him. However, it will create a dudebro persona for him he still can’t shake at 50. But a star is born.

The “whoas” and other dudely expressions have never left, mostly due to Reeves’ own laid back speech patterns, and his own admittance to his not being all that smart. Reviews were tepid, but the film did pretty well in theaters, and has obviously become a cult classic since, and got a sequel (forthcoming) and continuing rumors of a 3rd installment, which god help us if Dumb and Dumber: To isn’t enough.

Parenthood – 1990

Keanu Reeves - Parenthood - 1989
Keanu Reeves – Parenthood – 1989

Reeves bagged a small part in Steve Martin’s comedy directed by Ron Howard. It’s pretty standard formula stuff; families are the darnedest things aren’t they? However, this particular entry in the genre garnered very strong reviews, including 4 stars from Mr. Ebert himself, saying that it contained comedy and truth. This is when Steve Martin could do no wrong, and it always helps to be in a big time picture. And again, Reeves flexes comedy and a hint of dramatic in another young man role.

It was also a box office smash, raking in over $100 mill at the box office to go with those great reviews. Joaquin Phoenix also popped up, in what may have been the beginning of the strong bond between Reeves and the Phoenixes.

I Love You to Death – 1990

Keanu Reeves - I Love You to Death - 1990
Keanu Reeves – I Love You to Death – 1990

Reeves continued doing comedies, this time with director Lawrence Kasdan (who has had a weird resurgence with Star Wars coming back, like he’s been forgiven of 2-3 decades worth of crap in between), Kevin Kline, William Hurt, Tracey Ullman (Reeves also did an episode on her show, but I just skipped that) and River Phoenix (his best friend) and others star in a comedy about a womanizer pizza parlor owner, and his wife trying to kill him.

Reviews were tepid and it didn’t do much in the way of receipts either.

Tune in Tomorrow – 1990

Keanu Reeves - Tune in Tomorrow - 1990
Keanu Reeves – Tune in Tomorrow – 1990

A little-heard-of comedy that played with some meta ideas of a radio show writer incorporating his real life and writing the people around him into the show. So, like Synechdoche, New York, except not amazing.  I have nothing else to add. Other than apparently Reeves’ character is high a lot…

reeves - bill and ted cartoon
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventures (TV Series) – 1990

Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventures (TV Series) – 1990

Reeves voiced Ted for the cartoon series that ran for 2 seasons. Something about Reeves as a cartoon character… I find myself wishing Nic Cage was also a cartoon character, but then I remember, isn’t he though?

Point Break – 1991

Keanu-Reeves--Point-Break-jpg
Keanu Reeves – Point Break – 1991

Reeves became a badass. Playing Johnny Utah (only in a movie does someone have that name) an undercover agent who is sent in to infiltrate a group of surfers who may be bank robbers. He is drawn into the world of the charismatic Bodhi (Swayze) and like all undercover movies, lines blur, but more awesomely in this one. Featuring all sorts of high adrenaline stuff and directed by Kathryn Bigelow (I’ll take that Oscar now).

Reeves beat out Val Kilmer, Matthew Broderick, Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen, and Johnny Depp who were all considered at some point. He also learned how to surf, which color me surprised that he wasn’t born on a wave. Critics didn’t love the film, and it actually was only a modest box office success, but has since become a classic.

This is where Reeves will make his bread and butter in the next decade or two. As an action star. He’s not meaty like the Schwarzeneggers or self-deprecating like Bruce Willis. What he does have is a commitment to whatever he is doing, and a gift for the physicality of action roles. His body language is stern and strong, sturdy, something that’s hard to teach.

Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey – 1991

Keanu Reeves - Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey - 1991
Keanu Reeves – Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey – 1991

Reeves, Winter and Carlin returned to the well for the well-received sequel, which garnered better reviews and made about the same amount of money. This time evil android versions of Bill & Ted are sent back from the future to kill the originals, the Grim Reaper gallivants about, and the Seventh Seal is parodied. Again, reeves makes us laugh, and like action, he’s committed. That’s the key to humor.

We are still (eagerly) awaiting the completion of this trilogy 25 years later. Or so Hollywood thinks.

My Own Private Idaho – 1991

keanu my-own-private-idaho1
Keanu Reeves – My Own Private Idaho – 1991

Directed and written by auteur Gus van Sant, the film is actually a culmination of three different projects that van Sant cobbled into one:

“The first was a modern adaptation of Henry IV called Howling At The Moon, which was about street kids in Portland and was told entirely in Shakespearean verse. The second was called In A Blue Funk, and was about two Spanish cousins, living on the streets of Las Vegas, who decide to go to Spain after seeing their last name on a Spanish map and wanting to find out about themselves and their family. The third was actually titled My Own Private Idaho and was about an early version of the Mike character as a hustler who gets picked up by a German auto parts salesman and “kept” at his house.”

Wow. It follows two street hustlers who also are male prostitutes by turn (Reeves and Phoenix) as they survive. It is poignant, beautiful, and a film that is wholly its own. Reeves and especially Phoenix are brilliant. Phoenix rewrote the infamous campfire scene, in which the movie changes homosexuality from being something oppressing or hurting them, into something true, and the character very gently reveals himself to be gay.

I always tell people about this film. It’s a personal favorite of mine. Reeves drove cross-country on a motorcycle to hand deliver the script to Phoenix, whose agent wouldn’t show it to him. They decided to do it together. Critics responded to the film positively, and it endures as an underseen classic. Reeves definitely holds his own and shows some depth and vulnerability under Van Sant’s sensitive direction.

reeves - dogstar
Keanu Reeves – Dogstar

In 1991, Reeves started playing bass guitar for the grunge band, Dogstar.  The band played together through the early 2000’s.

Dracula – 1992

Keanu Reeves - Bram Stoker's Dracula - 1992
Keanu Reeves – Bram Stoker’s Dracula – 1992

After I just sang Reeves’ praises about what is, for my money, his best film, I am now going to start with the hating. We have 22 years worth of it coming up, so brace yourselves. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola (which was starting to mean less and less at this time) and was originally a companion piece with Frankenstein, until Kenneth Branagh decided he didn’t want to do it like FFC’s film (it turned out no better).

Gary Oldman stars as the titular Dracula and Winona Ryder is the wife, and Anthony Hopkins beat out a desperate Liam Neeson for Van Helsing after the success of his Hannibal character the year before. It all sounds good so far, right? Throw in some interesting visuals, practical effects, and the story we all know and love, and we should have something special. Then we get to Reeves. Who sports just about the worst English accent to ever be on film (eat your heart out Dick Van Dyke), and is just generally terrible.

Keep in mind to this point (previous movie excepting) he’s done nothing but comedies and an action flick. He apparently did lots of Shakespeare in schools and on the side, someone said he was a great Hamlet. This is the first evidence of his limited range. He’s wooden.

A black hole with no charisma, terrible line readings, and is only made worse sitting next to Oldman. But he tries, which is maybe worse.

It’s also more a love story than a horror film, and raised to operatic levels of grandness. Critics were split on the affair, and it did decent business. Coppola has since come out to criticize his own casting of Reeves, saying he needed a young hot star to get girls to see it. Frankly, there are plenty of hot actors who can also act. You all know my first suggestion, since he (who need not be named) and FFC were good friends. Reeves also said his work was bad, saying he was exhausted. Whatever the case, we can all agree he was bad.

Much Ado About Nothing – 1993

Keanu Reeves - Much Ado About Nothing - 1993
Keanu Reeves – Much Ado About Nothing – 1993

I’m not done yet. Reeves is awful again. As Don Jon, the biggest party pooper in the world, Reeves completely ruins a great monologue of being “a plain dealing villain” which is a Shakespeare classic. Why Branagh casted him I’ll never know. It’s also part of Branagh’s Shakespeare 90’s run which made him famous. Denzel Washington, Emma Thompson, Michael Keaton, and more stars fill out the cast.

The story is simple, a dinner party, Shakespeare style, in which there is mistaken identity, love, quarrels, betrayal, and everyone gets married. It was a critical and commercial hit. Again, Reeves is a Shakespeare vet, and one can argue Don Jon should be wooden (bleh), and Keaton isn’t much better.

Branagh said this

“[In the film he’s a] truly malevolent, sexy, passionate, an obsessively evil creature. In leather trousers. Pretty tight – I’d pay money to see Keanu Reeves in leather trousers and I think a lot of other people would as well”.

So, okay then. He’s not horrible, but he can’t break the iambic pentameter, but he’s damn pretty to look at.

Even Cowgirls Get the Blues – 1993

Keanu Reeves - Even Cowgirls Get the Blues - 1993
Keanu Reeves – Even Cowgirls Get the Blues – 1993

Another miss, but this time the whole film gets the blame. Gus Van Sant makes the mistake of trying to adapt Tom Robbins’ novel to the big screen, and it does not translate. I’ve read him, he’s funny, but it simply wouldn’t work if you watched what he describes happening. It follows Uma Thurman, who is born with very large thumbs (good for hitchhiking) as she goes west to be an actor, and ends up working at a beauty ranch. They take it over from the evil countess running it, the police siege the place. It’s insane. It’s a strange film, sexual, and just tonally hard to follow. Reeves has a small part. This one is a train wreck, critics took it to task, and the public avoided it like the plague. River Phoenix had the film dedicated to him, and his sister was in it.

It was about this time that River Phoenix tragically died of a drug overdose outside of a club. The death of River hit Reeves hard, and to this day, he does not speak about it. Even friends and family say they know better than to ask him to talk about it. Reeves has very little to say about his friend, other than he seemed to mean a great deal to him, and had a lot of demons to battle. Obviously tragic, not to mention he was immensely talented and it is sad we never got to see the work he would likely still be doing. A very gifted actor.

Little Buddha – 1993

Keanu Reeves - Little Buddha - 1993
Keanu Reeves – Little Buddha – 1993

When Bernardo Bertolucci comes knocking, you answer. The famed Italian director follows two stories, a modern story of a couple (played by Bridget Fonda and Chris Isaak) whose child may be the next incarnation of the Buddha , juxtaposed against Sidhartha’s journey to becoming the Buddha in ancient times.

The latter probably should’ve been a story on its own. Reviews were mostly mixed to negative, with the last entry in Bertolucci’s Oriental Trilogy considered the weakest. Reeves as the eastern prince who becomes Buddha… you decide. But look at that makeup job… look at it, and it looks back. Basically the movie is toothless and has nothing to say, feeling like one of those Bible movies from the 90s. Just a mess. It also belly-flopped onto screens.

Speed – 1994

Keanu Reeves - Speed - 1994
Keanu Reeves – Speed – 1994

Reeves continued to do whatever kind of movie he wants, bulked up, and starred as the action hero that would maintain his career for 20 years. He, Sandra Bullock, and Dennis Hopper star in the unlikely thriller about a bus that will explode if it goes under 55 MPH! It sounds ridiculous, because it is, but it mostly works. It’s simple and straightforward. Reeves became a heart-throb over night, an action star, and more than just the doofus from that funny movie.

Reeves proves himself a physical actor, carrying the movie on his shoulders as the hero. Reviews were very positive and it made a cool $120 million at the box office, an unqualified hit. Reeves wisely avoided the sequel (Bullock didn’t get the memo).  Jason Patric was unfortunate enough to take Reeves’ place in the notorious flop, Speed 2: Cruise Control.

Johnny Mnemonic – 1995

keanu mnemonic
Keanu Reeves – Johnny Mnemonic – 1995

Whoops, another misstep, as this movie is a doozy. Adapted by William Gibson from his own story, the famous sci-fi author doesn’t manage well. Reeves is a data courier, who has info in his head that will kill him if he doesn’t get it out, or the Yakuza kills him. There’s also a dolphin with a (freakin’) laser on his head. Seriously. It’s cyberpunk silliness and looks cheap. Reeves also gives a completely bonkers and out-of-place monologue about wanting room service in the middle, which had me in stitches first watch.

Fun fact, Val Kilmer was set to star and Reeves was to be in Michael Mann’s Heat, but the two basically switched roles. One of those rare times Kilmer came out on top. Apparently the script was dumped on Reeves’ front porch which piqued his interest… so anyone have his address?

A Walk in the Clouds – 1995

Keanu Reeves - A Walk in the Clouds - 1995
Keanu Reeves – A Walk in the Clouds – 1995

The first romance in his filmography, has Reeves returning home as a WWII vet, who meets an unmarried pregnant woman afraid that her father will kill her when he finds out. Reeves, swoops in to save the day, marries her, only to find their passion ignite for real. But they must overcome all odds to be together.

Reeves was injured during a hockey game while filming A Walk in the Clouds.  His lip was split and he received six stitches.  When he returned to the set, he had to film a love scene with Debra Messing.  Reportedly he asked her, “Please don’t hurt me.”

It’s romantic and passionate, or melodramatic and overworked, which wouldn’t be what I’d call Reeves for, but hey, he fares okay. Critics mostly liked the film, and it did well financially. It will depend on your ability to withhold your cynicism. I do not fare so well. Reeves succeeds here by the same gift that allows him to do comedy or action: a lack of self-awareness in his performances. He simply goes for it. And while his range is questionable, the manner in which he gives himself to roles is not.

Chain Reaction – 1996

keanu-reeves-chain
Keanu Reeves – Chain Reaction – 1996

This one must have seemed like a sure bet. With the success of Speed and the director of The Fugitive, it had all the makings of another action thriller classic. Not so. An overly complicated script with plot holes you could drive a truck through and a litany of issues suck any momentum from the film.

A couple of scientists working on a green project are framed for murder and on the run by someone with commercial interests in the project! Morgan Freeman and Rachel Weisz fill out the cast. Critical reaction was lukewarm and it made back less than half the budget stateside, so it went down in flames… which caused a chain reaction still being felt in his career!… sorry, no, it didn’t, but can you blame me?

Feeling Minnesota – 1996

Keanu Reeves - Feeling Minnesota - 1996
Keanu Reeves – Feeling Minnesota – 1996

Reeves continued testing my endurance by churning out 2-3 films at least a year. This one a romantic crime comedy with Reeves and Vincent D’nofrio as con brothers fighting over Cameron Diaz.

Critics were disparaging and audiences took no note of the film.

The Last Time I Committed Suicide – 1997

Keanu Reeves - The Last Time I Committed Suicide - 1997
Keanu Reeves – The Last Time I Committed Suicide – 1997

Reeves returned to his indie roots to less than good results. The beat era indie, based on a real letter (that sounds ridiculous typed out) written by Cassady to Jack Kerouac. It follows he and a group of beats, doing generally loser beat stuff.

Reeves put on some weight to play a lovable loser barfly, and indeed was the only positive thing people had to say about the film. Critics weren’t impressed, and neither were moviegoers.

Devil’s Advocate – 1997

Keanu Reeves - The Devil's Advocate - 1997
Keanu Reeves – The Devil’s Advocate – 1997

Reeves returned to the big time as the audience proxy/main character in the thriller which for all intents and purposes stars Al Pacino as the devil in full “WOO-HA” mode. Reeves is the wide-eyed lawyer brought to New York and succumbs to all its devilish charms. Charlize Theron is the eye candy. The movie is beautifully filmed. Critics were medium on the film and it didn’t do anything special monetarily.

Once again, Reeves looks really wooden when put next to a big actor going for broke. It’s a fun cheese fest, as Pacino was going through his bigger than life performance stage, Theron is melting eyes, and Reeves is having a good time just being there. He took a pay cut to get Pacino involved.

The Matrix – 1999

Keanu Reeves – The Matrix – 1999

Here is where Reeves goes through the roof, and buys himself an extra 10 years of box office prowess, as The One (heavy-handed Jesus symbolism to come). The Matrix was an absolute cultural sensation when it came out. The SFX were revelatory (and infinitely parodied), the sci-fi story was great, it was well acted, and it was a powder keg.

Critics loved the high-octane action and the high concept premise, people turned out in droves (almost $200 mill), and people everywhere were talking. Reeves fell into the role after Val Kilmer, Brad Pitt, Will Smith, and Johnny Depp all turned down Neo. To boot, Val Kilmer turned down Morpheus as well (WHYYYYYYY?!?!?!). The studio was desperate to have Val and Pitt in the film. It was not to be. And to their credit, Neo is a terrible part. He never strings together more than 3 sentences. Has very few lines.

Morpheus though, Val, Val, come on. It didn’t matter, it became a landmark, everything Star Wars should have been as the sci-fi movie of 1999. The story, if you’ve somehow never seen it, follows a regular guy who is pulled into a world where everything we know is a lie, the world is a computer program used to hide the truth that humans are enslaved as batteries by evil robots and has to fight to free people from the Matrix.

Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, and Carrie-Anne Moss all also got huge boosts from the film. The Wachowskis would then spend the next 15 years bungling everything they touched before Cloud Atlas (but more on the sequels in a few). Again, Reeves works because he plays Jesus roles unadorned. Almost a blank slate which allows the audience into the movie. He’s physically committed to a lot of green screen which isn’t easy (ask Liam Neeson) and never tries to do anything but service the script and film around him. His lack of ego is always apparent.

1999 was a banner year for Reeves’ career.  But it was also a year in which he suffered personal tragedy.  In December, Reeves’s girlfriend gave birth to a stillborn daughter.  The weight of the loss drove the couple apart, but they remained friendly.  Eighteen months later, Reeves’ ex was killed in a car accident.

The Replacements – 2000

Keanu Reeves - The Replacements - 2000
Keanu Reeves – The Replacements – 2000

Reeves got some rest between Matrix sequel filming with the laid back football comedy with Gene Hackman, where striking NFL players are replaced by second-rate players working for cheaper, and Reeves is now the starting quarterback. There’s a girl. Love. It’s a harmless film, which is the nicest thing anyone can say about it. Critics were not kind, and it didn’t make back its budget. Reeves is no Kevin Costner, it appears.

The Watcher – 2000

The face of a killer. Dispassionate. Sociopathic.
Keanu Reeves – The Watcher – 2000

This one is fun because reeves says he never signed onto the film, that someone forged his signature. After arguing about it for a while, he decided “what the hell” and did the movie (classic Reeves). In it, he plays a serial killer that strangles women. He’s a creep. James Spader and Marissa Tomei costar. It’s just as well he did it, because nobody liked it and it didn’t recoup costs, but it wasn’t bad enough to hurt him. Another little thriller comes and goes, and who remembers? Who watches the watcher?

The Gift – 2001

keanu gift
Keanu Reeves and Hilary Swank – the Gift – 2000

This one is actually one I really like. It follows a woman (the phenomenal Cate Blanchett who elevates the whole film) with extrasensory perception who helps solve the mystery of a missing girl. It’s directed by Sam Raimi, who I basically deplore (right along with Peter Jackson, they’re similar to me), who is actually pretty restrained here. It’s got a large cast with Greg Kinnear, Katie Holmes, (the criminally underrate) Giovanni Ribisi, Hilary Swank and others turning in nice performances.

Reeves is cast against type as woman-beating husband and backwater hick Donnie Barksdale. He’s actually pretty strong. His accent is iffy at best, and a few of his bigger scenes he’s not able to get where he needs to go (Reeves problems), but he’s a treat to watch. It got pretty solid reviews as a supernatural thriller, and did decent business worldwide in regards to its small budget. A fun one for Reeves, I always enjoy seeing leading actors take small character parts and be reminded they have more to offer.

Sweet November – 2001

Keanu Reeves - Sweet November - 2001
Keanu Reeves – Sweet November – 2001

Reeves returned to the melodramatic romance, this time to less affect. He will make a habit out of returning to this type of picture throughout his career. In a movie I’m still not convinced is not City of Angels Charlize Theron and Reeves reteam for a meet-cute encounter, and a month that will change their lives. She brings men to bed for a month to change their lives. She is also dying. Cue weeping. She gets sick. He finds out. She set out to change his life but (gasp) now he’s about to change hers. Clichés abound. Critics absolutely loathed it, and audiences avoided it (wisely). Reeves does the self-absorbed cell phone addicted asshole bit okay, but it doesn’t matter in something this hokey.

Hard Ball – 2001

Keanu Reeves - Hard Ball - 2001
Keanu Reeves – Hard Ball – 2001

Reeves also discovered another movie trope to stick to (sci-fi/action/romance/sports rinse and repeat) in another sports comedy. A Bad News Bears/every inspirational sports story ever movie finds Reeves as a hard-drinking, hard living guy who coaches a little league team so he can get a loan (at least it’s not a function of probation or something). He does. Inspirational sports stuff. Sports are sportsed.

Critics were lukewarm, but it was strong with audiences and raked it some cash. Reeves makes an excellent counterpoint to not being Kevin Costner, by, maybe, being Kevin Costner (replace epic westerns with epic sci-fis and their filmographies are actually rather similar). But I digress…

Matrix Reloaded – 2003

Keanu Reeves - The Matrix Reloaded - 2003
Keanu Reeves – The Matrix Reloaded – 2003

The ill-advised sequel to The Matrix arrives with the last of the trilogy hot on its heels. The Wachowskis claim they always intended it to be a trilogy, but everything says otherwise. The story just starts doubling down on itself, getting more complicated, and taking the Jesus symbolism to Narnian levels. The action is bigger and louder and more slow-motionier, and they’re just dying to justify making this film. More robots and Mr. Smiths and the battle to end all battles are teased.

Critics backed away as the high concept of the first film (which by the third act had fallen away,  if there’s any beef with the first Matrix, it’s that) had now been relegated to the backseat, and just served as an excuse for bullet dodging. Audiences, however, earned the sequel an extra $100 mill more than the first entry. It was bad enough I’ve never bothered to watch Revolutions.

Matrix Revolutions – 2003

reeves - matrix revolutions
Keanu Reeves – The Matrix Revolutions – 2003

An interesting decision to release both films in the same year (6 months apart) may not have been the wisest. The third film grossed less than the first and half of what the second did. Which is bad. It also garnered the worst reviews of the three. The human city of Zion (dear god) defends itself against the evil robot menace. So, nothing really happened in the second film, as it was just placeholding for the story of this one.

Something’s Gotta Give – 2003

Keanu Reeves - Something's Gotta Give - 2003
Keanu Reeves – Something’s Gotta Give – 2003

Nancy Meyers has a knack for sitcom ready rom-coms featuring characters of mature ages 5oish, falling in love. Jack Nicholson plays himself basically, as he falls for an older woman, or more accurately, the mother of his trophy younger girlfriend. Of course the older people fall for each other, but also Reeves, his doctor (Dr. Keanu heh), falls for the older Diane Keaton. Love triangles and hijinks ensue as well as witty banter. Critics enjoyed it and it was a smash hit in dollar signs, earning way over $100 mill which is crazy for a romcom. Reeves busts out the humor chops and proves earnest and game for proceedings.

Ellie Parker – 2005

A Naomi Watts vehicle, that started out as a short film years earlier, provides an ugly up-close look at the life of a struggling actress. Changing clothes in the car. The insecurity. The uncertainty. This is a film that should be watched by any aspiring actor. Reeves has a small cameo. Watts is great here, as per usual. It’s a quirky little movie, and underseen. Critics were divided and it never really went to theaters.

Thumbsucker – 2005

Pictured: Dentisting
Keanu Reeves- Thumbsucker – 2005

The debut of director Mike Mills (who would go on to direct the brilliant Beginners, which if you haven’t seen, run don’t walk) which follows a high school student as he tries to break the addiction of sucking his thumb. It’s a quirky little coming of age indie that has a bunch of famous actors getting in to act. Reeves plays the kid’s quirky dentist with an inspired bit of detachment and oddness. It’s not a perfect film, but worth a watch. It’s sensitive and funny. Tilda Swinton, Vince Vaughn, and Vincent D’Nofrio all put in good performances. Critics were favorable and it did well on the indie circuit. Reeves reestablished his connection to the indie world, which he keeps popping in and out of.

Constantine – 2005

Constantine-keanu-reeves-
Keanu Reeves – Constantine – 2005

Much to the chagrin of comic fans everywhere, the not british, not blond, not smoking Reeves plays John Constantine, supernatural detective/demon hunter. Also gone is all the snark and self-deprecation of the character. Reeves plays him as he always does his action/sci-fi heroes… blandly.  So everyman it could literally be played by anyone, which is a shame for a character as singular as a demon hunting, smoking, bisexual, British, smarmy asshole like Constantine.

Reeves investigates the supposed suicide of a woman, which leads him to Hell (where he’s been before) and a battle with Satan and demons. An over-inflated budget, story, and just white-washing of the whole affair to the point it could be any blockbuster robs the movie of any personality (Reeves doesn’t help).

It was a disappointment at the box office and critics.  It opened at #2 at the box office and grossed $75 million in the US on a $100 million dollar budget.  Once again, the movie fared much better internationally. Constantine was resurrected as a low-rated TV series in 2014.

A Scanner Darkly – 2006

movies_keanu_reeves_a_scanner_
Keanu Reeves – A Scanner Darkly – 2006

After rotoscoping the trippy new-ager Waking Life, wunderkind Richard Linklater decided to put it to the narrative test with a(faithful) Philip K. Dick adaptation.

It follow Bob Arcter (Reeves) as an undercover agent infiltrating a group of druggies, one of which could be a dangerous terrorist. The trouble is, he can’t remember if he’s Bob the druggie, or Bob the agent. The drug splits the hemispheres of your brain. Robert Downey Jr and Woody Harrelson and Winona Ryder show up, and are all great.

The film is a great bit of paranoia and hang out fun, and a wonderful look at the cost of drug addiction. There is a heartbreaking last page of the book in which Dick lists all the people dead or otherwise impaired from drugs, and asks why the punishment must be so much more severe than the crime. Reeves is actually fantastic playing a burned out druggie who can’t seem to distinguish reality.

It’s a great little movie. Critics really enjoyed it, and it did decent business, about breaking even with a small budget. This is one of the few roles if say nobody could own like Reeves does. Some actors you can’t imagine anyone else in the part, and this one is suited to his strengths like no other. Linklater also always gets the most out of his actors. Reeves is understated and poignant, lost, adrift, searching, and generally great all around.

The Lake House – 2006

Keanu Reeves - The Lake House - 2006
Keanu Reeves – The Lake House – 2006

Reeves returned to the weepy melodramatic romances, with maybe the worst of the lot. This costars Sandra Bullock (before we were forced to take her “seriously” with The Blind Side) as lovers separated by time who give each other love letters through a time traveling mail box. That’s not a joke. I’m dead serious. Reeves is a frustrated architect because nobody is a middle-manager in the movies.

Critics were unimpressed.  The Lake House opened in 4th place at the box office and grossed  just over $50 million at the box office.  Counting marketing costs, it more or less broke even making it a box office disappointment.  On the upside, it fared a little better overseas.  Also, this is the Speed 2 we were all waiting for.

Street Kings – 2008

Street-Kings_keanu
Keanu Reeves – Street Kings – 2008

Reeves goes where Denzel, Kurt Russell, Christian Bale and others went before with a David Ayers bad cop drama. Written by James Ellroy, it would seem to be set up for gold. But this is nowhere near as good as those previously mentioned, and boy is Reeves not the guy to cast as a bad cop. He gives some hilarious wooden line readings, and is not even 1% scary. Critics were underwhelmed and it was a modest success financially. Reeves bad cops it up with Forrest Whitaker and Hugh Laurie (not being House so American audiences were immediately dubious), and Jay Mohr is in it. God help Jay Mohr. I’m worried about him.

The Day the Earth Stood Still – 2008

Keanu Reeves - The Day the Earth Stood Still - 2008
Keanu Reeves – The Day the Earth Stood Still – 2008

And here is where things really start to tank for The One. A remake nobody asked for of the old-school classic, which was deep-rooted in A-Bomb paranoia and WWII fallout. This one replaces all that context with… you guessed it, the environment. “Stop polluting” is not nearly as urgent a story as “stop killing each other”. I’m in no way saying that conservationism isn’t totally a worthy cause, I’m a vegetarian/vegan. So I’m like required to be on board with that stuff, but a good story it doesn’t make.

In his review of The Day the Earth Stood Still, Rober Ebert wrote:

Klaatu is a dream role for the beautifully blank Reeves, since he doesn’t even have to pretend to emote.

Keanu Reeves plays Klaatu, confining his usual two-and-a-half-note vocal range to half that.

Reeves, whose expressive range here is slim to none, is perfectly cast as the alien.

The remake of the science-fiction classic knew what it was doing when it cast Keanu Reeves, the movies’ greatest stone face since Buster Keaton.

Keanu Reeves is often low-key in his roles, but in this movie, his piano has no keys at all. He is so solemn, detached and uninvolved he makes Mr. Spock look like Hunter S. Thompson at closing time. When he arrives at a momentous decision, he announces it as if he has been rehearsing to say: “Yes, one plus one equals two. Always has, always will.”

Ebert’s is my favorite.

The movie suffers from remake-itis, which is basically that it has no point for existing or being remade. It has nothing new on its mind other than big whiz-bang explosions and noise and nothing new to add. Critics were disparaging.   The Day the Earth Stood Still was a disappointment in the US. It failed to recoup its production budget domestically despite opening at #1 at the box office. With a budget of $80 million, it really needed to clear $100 million in the US. $150 million to be considered anything close to a hit domestically. It came in just under $80. That is bordering on flop territory.  On the upside, it performed very well internationally. It did more than double its domestic take overseas.

In 2008, Reeves was sued  by paparazzo Alison Silva for over $700,000 dollars.  The suit alleged that Reeves hit and injured Silva with his Porsche.  It took a year and a half for the case to make it to court.  When it did, the jury rejected the suit after an hour of deliberation.

Private Lives of Pippa Lee – 2009

Keanu Reeves - The Private Lives of Pippa Lee - 2009
Keanu Reeves – The Private Lives of Pippa Lee – 2009

A little indie film starring Robin Wright and Winona Rider, in which Reeves has a small part. It follows the always brilliant Robin Wright as her and her older husband move, and Pippa starts having a nervous breakdown. Written and directed by Daniel Day-Lewis wife, in her first film since Ballad of Jack and Rose with Day-Lewis. Critics weren’t as impressed with the follow-up, and it mostly came and went with little fanfare.

Henry’s Crime – 2010

HENRYS-CRIME-keanu
Keanu Reeves – Henry’s Crime – 2010

This one basically went direct-to-video, a first for Reeves. It showed on maybe 8 screens countrywide, and made all of $100,000 at the BO against a $12 mill budget. A screwball crime comedy that critics didn’t much care for either follows wrongly convicted bank robber played by Reeves as he decides to go ahead and rob that bank he was wrongly convicted of robbing. Makes sense. Reeves also produced it, which means he thought it was good.

Once again, Roger Ebert was critical of Reeves’ performance:

Keanu Reeves seems mildly sedated during most of Henry’s Crime.  Reeves has many arrows in his quiver, but screwball comedy isn’t one of them. Vera Farmiga, James Caan and Fisher Stevens can do it, but they often seem to be looking back, waiting for Reeves to pass the baton. What’s needed is someone nervous to play Henry. A Steve Buscemi, for example. Reeves maintains a sort of Zen detachment. Whatever happens is all right with him.

Ebert’s quote sums up how I’ve felt about Reeves. He always seems to not particularly care what’s going on around him, or if he does, he’s just confused or frustrated. And don’t try to tell me otherwise, because any time you try to explain it to me, it just confuses and frustrates me!

Box office bombs make Keanu sad...
Sad Keanu Meme

In 2010, Reeves got more attention than he had gotten in years.  But it wasn’t for a movie.  The Sad Keanu meme became a weird internet sensation.  Say what you will about Reeves, but the guy has a sense of humor (even if some of his fans do not).  Reeve laughed the whole thing off:

I was made aware of it. And I thought it was funny. Yeah. But, you know, it’s still a drag to get your picture taken when you’re eating a sandwich. It’s a downer. Even though, conceptually, what was going on was pretty funny.

Fans of the meme named June 15 Cheer-up Keanu Day.  Be sure to mark your calendar.

On the first anniversary of Cheer-up Keanu Day, Reeves was asked about the sudden attention.  His response was characteristically Zen:

It is hopefully, in a quiet and enjoyable way, transformative. The kind of thing that takes you from this one place to another – to look at yourself and, y’know, it can always be worse. I hate that sentence: of course it can always be worse!

Generation Um… – 2012

Keanu Reeves - Generation Um... - 2012
Keanu Reeves – Generation Um… – 2012

With possibly the worst title in the history of movies (an ellipsis, in your title, after the word um… are you kidding me?!) Reeves stayed with the indie scene to even worse results. This one follows three people in a single day in NY, and it’s just awful. The trailer is awful, with another typically awful Reeves delivery. Listen to this.

Critics hated it, it went direct to video and nobody watched it there either.

Man of Tai Chai – 2013

Keanu Reeves - Man of Tai Chi - 2013
Keanu Reeves – Man of Tai Chi – 2013

Reeves made his directorial debut with a throwback martial arts flick that focuses on real stunt work rather than CGI hooey. It focuses on choreography and movement and to that effect, is a success. However, the derivative martial arts underworld fighting storyline is played out beyond belief, even if the script tries to lay more atop the tired premise. Reeves also shows up acting, everyone breathes a collective sigh of relief… It did zero business stateside and critics weren’t impressed either. A movie that came ten years too late, after America has already gotten over Jackie Chan, Crouching Tiger, and Hero. Way to miss the bus (Speed reference).

47 Ronin – 2013

Keanu-reeves-47-ronin-
Keanu Reeves – 47 Ronin – 2013

Not content with simply costarring and directing a Kung fu movie relying on less special effects, Reeves also stars in an overblown CGI spectacle martial arts flick by an incompetent first time director. It’s everything bad about current Hollywood; cannibalization of older stories into spectacle, CGI, loud senseless action sequences, and a boring love story tacked on. Art by committee made to appeal to the lowest common denominator. It tells a 300-esque story based on a Japanese legend, of 47 masterless samurai standing against evil, in which they are hopelessly outnumbered. Japanese themes like honor and duty abound but are drowned out by CGI monsters and choppy editing.

In the monumentally dull 47 Ronin, Reeves mumbles monosyllabic claptrap between dull action scenes. And it’s a shame: At almost 50 years old, the actor allows this turgid, clanky flick to play to his worst stereotypes.

Ouch. And that critic wasn’t the only one who hated it. Everyone did. Also, a monumental flop. At almost a $175 million dollar budget, it made less than $40 million stateside. It opened in an embarrassing 9th place at the box office.  It’s Reeves’ first disaster and a sign that his name alone will no longer draw American audiences.  Fortunately, it did better overseas.  But even with the international grosses, it still failed to recoup its production costs.

John Wick – 2014

keanu john wick
Keanu Reeves – John Wick – 2014

Reeves makes a comeback? The movie has been hailed as a Liam Neeson-esque Taken-style reworking of Reeves’ image.  John Wick casts him as an aging hitman who gets pulled back into the life (where have I heard that before?). Despite the utterly derivative story, critics seem to be responding to the stripped down style and deadpan humor. Audiences also made it a modest hit with a decent first weekend. Good for him. His action abilities and his gift for deadpan humor are both serviced here and that seems to be putting Reeves back on the right track. Though it’s a step in the right direction, it was no smash hit.

Also in 2014, Reeves was awakened by a female stalker in his house.  She was hanging out in his library and claimed she just wanted to meet him.  He talked to the stalker calmly while calling the police.  Three days later, a different woman entered Reeves’ house when the cleaning company left his gate unlocked.  The second stalker took a shower in Reeves’ bathroom and then skinny dipped in his pool.  Reeves was not at home at the time.

Reeves has a slate of stuff still coming out-

He has The Whole Truth, a legal thriller with Renee Zellweger in post, which, given that and a director I’ve never heard of, does not sound promising.

Knock Knock is an Eli Roth thriller about two women wreaking havoc on the life of a married man, and again, when was the last time Eli Roth made anything that wasn’t terrible? Also, Reeves and thrillers rarely works for me, as he never seems to be able to get his heartbeat over 70 BPM. If he doesn’t look worried, why should I be?

Daughter of God is another no-name director costarring Mira Sorvino (another bad omen) in which Reeves will play a police detective and there seems to be some supernatural tinge to everything.

Passengers actually sounds fascinating, a sci-fi story in which a man on a long hypersleep trip is awakened 90 years before everyone else, he is faced with growing old and dying alone. Eventually, he decides to wake up a second. Could be good, or could be hokey, again, directors I’ve never heard of doesn’t give me hope.

Some of that batch looks like they could skip theaters and go direct to video (especially the Zellweger and Sorvino joints).

So, what the hell happened?

Like some other WTHH vets, he’s not gone, but he’s definitely not what he used to be. And the next few years will decide if Keanu goes to direct to video actioners or goes the Jude Law route and carves out a niche as a supporting actor or character actor. He’s had a string of supporting performances in indie and mid level stuff that has done well and earned him a lot of the praise he’s received as an actor. His starring roles have been hits as films. But his best work has usually been as a comedian or as a supporting actor, which bodes well. It’s a matter of whether or not he decides to chase that. But since he has so little ego, it’s a good bet he just might. Or maybe he will stick to directing where he seems to have some real talent as well.

He’s had an extraordinarily long and successful career.  Arguably his career is much better than the caliber of actor he is. He also has the benefit of never having a bad rumor about him, and basically being a joy to work with, accepting pay cuts to afford better co stars and giving his money away. Which will make you popular with a studio.  Reeves still has some clout built up, so he’s got a few more chances. If that Matrix trilogy 2 ever happens one has to think he’ll be a part of that, not that I’m hoping it happens. John Wick bought him some time, what he does with it will remain to be seen. Probably just make Bill and Ted 3

You go Keanu…

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Brad Deal
9 years ago

LeBeau, Don’t hold back. If you don’t like him than just say it! The guy has been around for a long time, there must be something about him that people like…. I don’t dont see him as awkward or wooden, I see him as different, as different. Not everybody is the same, not every body comes from the same background, not everybody has the same expectations. And never forget, being a nice guy goes a long way. I have never heard anything negative about Reeves except that he is somewhat hippified, nothing about cheating lying or stealing that fills your… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  Brad Deal

Just to clarify, I am not the author of this article. This one was brought to you by DWMCGUFF. He hasn’t written a WTHH article around here in a while, but his previous articles include Orlando Bloom and Josj Hartnett. I have not yet had a chance to read this entry, so I can’t comment fully. I’m sure I’ll comment more once I’ve had a chance to read and reflect. But big thanks to Mr. McGuff for what I am sure will prove to be another great article. I look forward to diving in soon.

Brad Deal
9 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

No fair LeBeau. Regular Bait and switch. I thought the writing in this one was a little above average….should of spotted it off right away..

You post it, you own the opinions. Can’t change now, no way, no how. You think this is some political forum or what? I mean WTHH??

Now I gotta check both the author AND read too? It’s too much.

Good job dwmcguff.

Brad Deal

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  Brad Deal

Hey wait, what? Better than average?!? Grrrrr!

I have lamented before that the site doesn’t make the author more obvious. Not that I would want to distance myself from any content. Just want to make sure credit is given where it is due.

Okay, now to read as much as I can before I get interrupted.

Brad Deal
9 years ago
Reply to  dwmcguff

DW, To be fair I thought I was talking to LeBeau. If I had known it was you I would have given you the prerequsite respect. But you know as well as I that you have to shock LeBeau to get his attention, same way I slap my little brother up long side his head when he goes off on a rant. Next time I will check to see who wrote the article…. To be fair I went back and re-read your article. I know you said at the beginning and at the end that you held Reeves in high… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  Brad Deal

Trust me, I know the difference between the red and blue pills. I’m popping blue pills like there’s no tomorrow. What’s that? The blue pill is Viagra? Oooops. Well, should be a fun weekend I guess. I use to have a harsher view of Reeves that mirrored the tone of the article. Back in the day when Reeves was completely miscast in Dracula, I took my fair share of pot shots at him. But I have definitely softened my stance. Any actor can be bad in the wrong role. Not every actor can be great. Reeves can be fantastic in… Read more »

Brad Deal
9 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Lebeau,

The red pill is for blood pressure. Never mix the red pill and the blue pill or you run the risk of one massive explosion which may well be the best you ever had, but for sure will be your last…😥

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  Brad Deal

I seem to recall my physician saying something similar. The middle aged equivalent of “don’t cross the streams”

It’s good to have a little levity in this comments section. Things have gotten so tense around here.

Brad Deal
9 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Where is my unlicensed nuclear accelerator anyway?

Brad Deal
9 years ago

As different = as interesting…..ahhh

bodwaya
bodwaya
9 years ago

iam surprised christopher nolan hasnt cast him in his movies he fits the scifi thing like bill and ted matrix he would fit the comic book mold green lantern and lebeau he got great reviews for the fit u make it out like he was trashed he was great and why did u bring up costners name when u mentioned the movie replacement

bodwaya
bodwaya
9 years ago

u kind of trashed costnr too when u mentioned hardball costner is doing good he has oscar buzz for black and white he avoided by not being costner costner id oing better then keanu right now i would say but keabu is a good actor iam starting to think u got a problem with costners acting

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  bodwaya

Once again, this article was not written by me.

I can’t speak for the author’s opinion on Costner. I personally don’t think he has a ton of range. But he’s got a great screen presence in the right role. Much like Keanu Reeves actually.

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago

I finally finished reading the article. Great stuff. Reeves has had a long and fascinating career. I actually started researching a Reeves article about a year ago but didn’t pull the trigger on it. I was waiting to see how some of his more recent projects turned out. I came away from my research with a ton of respect for Reeves as a person. And a bit more respect for him as an actor.

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  dwmcguff

Absolutely. I appreciated that you got that out of the way right up front. Way back in the early 90s, I read an unflattering interview with Reeves. The interviewer painted him as a space cadet (which he is) and a jerk. The interviewer asked Reeves what preparation he did for his role in My Own Private Idaho and Reeves got offended by the implication and terminated the interview. So the article made him out to be a homophobe. That was pretty much my opinion of Reeves for decades. I was pleasantly surprised to find out he is not at all… Read more »

Terrence Clay (@TMC1982)

Whoa! Whatever Happened to Keanu Reeves? http://frettsonfilm.com/2013/04/26/whoa-whatever-happened-to-keanu-reeves/ Keanu Reeves once seemed on the verge of an excellent acting adventure, but as he approaches his 50th birthday next year, his cinematic career has mostly turned out to be a bogus journey. He started out as convincingly surly teenagers in films ranging from Tim Hunter’s dark River’s Edge to Ron Howard’s sunny Parenthood. But the dude-speak intonations that served him so well in the Bill & Ted movies started to limit his range, as he seemed wildly out of place (and time) in period pieces like Dangerous Liaisons, Much Ado About Nothing… Read more »

Gordon Smith
Gordon Smith
9 years ago

As a Keanu Reeves fan, I found this article painful to read. I had hoped for better, frankly. Just once in my life, I want to read a critique of the man that does not involve multiple hackneyed references to a film role that he did a quarter of a century ago (actually filmed over 27 years ago)., and which does not confuse the actor with a role he performed as a young man (all of 22 at the time). One doesn’t have to think of Mr. Reeves a s a great actor-I do not-yet surely we can do better… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  Gordon Smith

I fact checked this story. It was originally reported by the Wall Street Journal and picked up by tons of mainstream media outlets. If you can point me to an interview with Reeves that refutes this, I’d love to see it. I do enjoy busting up urban legends when the opportunity presents itself.

Gordon Smith
Gordon Smith
9 years ago

Okay, that’s fair enough.

rbtheuncritic
9 years ago

Thanks to McGuff. It’s impressive that to me that someone born in 1989 has such excellent writing skills. This was an engrossing retrospective onto Keanu’s career. And the writing style dovetails with the signature Lebeau narrative very nicely, it’s especially noticeable on a day where 2 new WTHH posts have appeared. That’s not to say I agree with everything. For example, The Lake House. I LOVE that movie and only love it more with every repeated viewing. Yes, I own it. What the hell they got Paul McCartney to write the lead song, and that’s not even the best part?… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  rbtheuncritic

Born in 89… grumble grumble… that’s when I graduated high school… McGuff had a few zingers that made me laugh out loud. And a few that had me steaming. Pot shots at Mira Sorvino? Not on my waych, pal! 😉 On the whole, I think his style is a little more harsh than my articles tend to be. But I definitely agree his work fits within the parameters of the series. I always enjoy reading his articles even if we don’t always agree. One observation is that all of McGuff’s articles after his first one on Val Kilmer have been… Read more »

Brad Deal
9 years ago
Reply to  rbtheuncritic

Now that’s what I’m talking about! My wife loves Lake House

RB
RB
9 years ago
Reply to  Brad Deal

We already knew your wife has excellent taste in men…

Brad Deal
9 years ago
Reply to  rbtheuncritic

1989…1989….? I have erasers that are older than 1989. That was the last year they used pencils in class. Every since then it’s been computers, iPods, tablets, then emails, and now Twitter!! There is a real possibility that hand held computers will replace cursive writing. It’s all replaced by OMG, LOL and WTHH!! Pretty soon What The Hell Happened will be written in short hand only a high school girl will understand. Grammar, grammar! We don’t need no stinking grammar!! Hell, when I went to college I was taught computers by using a punch card….and a big ole funny looking… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  Brad Deal

There was great debate in my daughters’ school as to whether or not cursive should still be taught. My 9-year-old is learning it. But I don’t believe it is still being taught at the public schools. The kids are horrified when I tell them about the dark days of the 70s and 80s. How when dad was a kid, cartoons were only on Saturday morning and there was no such thing as a cell phone or YouTube.

bodwaya
bodwaya
9 years ago

how can u say costner and reeves have no range both actors acting stlyes are different so the comparison is weird and costner was different in silverado upside of anger mr brooks black and white he apparently troubles drunk a perfect world he got great reviews u know that it was a bad guy different then his other a for keanu what your buddy didnt point is he got reviews for rivers edge hes rising star who was respectable the gift shows he has range costner and keanu are not worst actors on the list arnold has less range then… Read more »

bodwaya
bodwaya
9 years ago

but do u agree he would fit a noan films watching interseller i can him in matthews role

bodwaya
bodwaya
9 years ago

this article makes day earth stood still to be a flop despite make 230 mill world wide on 80 mill budget it sorry to say but i think whoever wrote it was way too hard on keanu hes gotten good reviews before too so has costner every actor has a flop now and again

Craig Hansen
Craig Hansen
9 years ago
Reply to  bodwaya

I looked up the numbers on Wikipedia and you’re right, Day the Earth Stood Still only cost $80M to make and earned $233M worldwide, with marketing involved it probably made a modest profit. So it did a bit better than I expected, but regardless the film was dull and unnecessary.

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  Craig Hansen

The Day the Earth Stood Still was a disappointment in the US. It failed to recoup its production budget domestically despite opening at #1 at the box office. With a budget of $80 million, it really needed to clear $100 million in the US. $150 million to be considered anything close to a hit domestically. It came in just under $80. That is bordering on flop territory.

On the upside, it performed very well internationally. It did more than double its domestic take overseas.

Craig Hansen
Craig Hansen
9 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

Yeah, overseas saved it from being an outright flop. But an $80M domestic take for a film that was meant to be a blockbuster is disappointing. It was a signal to Hollywood Keanu isn’t capable of opening huge blockbusters anymore. A shame it was such a dull movie.

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  Craig Hansen

The Matrix films bought Keanu a lot of credibility in the overseas markets where action is king. It’s the same thing that keeps Nic Cage and a lot of other action guys working even after their domestic track record has gone flat.

peyton
peyton
9 years ago

The whole article is insulting from beginning to end, he’s bashed at every point. Also, almost nothing in here is factual, someone needed to do some serious research before he wrote this. This wasn’t a critique at all, it was just some pathetic, lame ass excuse to tear into him for reasons i have never been able to understand. There’s nothing wrong with his career, he’s doing well right now, and the guy who wrote this should be ashamed.

Craig Hansen
Craig Hansen
9 years ago
Reply to  peyton

I’ve been a fan of Keanu over the years. The two Bill and Ted movies were hilarious. Point Break and Speed were top-notch action flicks. I thought Devil’s Advocate was enjoyable and maybe a bit underrated. Matrix? An undeniable sci-fi classic, I’d go so far as to call it one of the best films of the 90’s. Yes, Keanu does have a limited range as an actor, but within his range he can be quite good. If he didn’t have any talent at all, then I wouldn’t have enjoyed those films I just mentioned, right? And besides, Keanu has been… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  peyton

While I do think the tone of the article is a bit harsh, I don’t think it is completely unfair.

Let me know which points you believe to be factually inaccurate. I will fact check and update the article accordingly.

bodwaya
bodwaya
9 years ago

230 mill mean it made more then twice its bydget it did more then modest i enjoyed yes critics hated it from a business standpoint its not a flop it did hurt his career peyton is right it was insulting usual in the other articles then give some compliemnts to actors career but i did not hear 1 compliment for keanu just insults hes doing good john wick did good keanu is a nice guy too and costner is a nice guy now so it was irrevleant to bring him up

bodwaya
bodwaya
9 years ago

craig do u like costner who the article briefly bashed

RB
RB
9 years ago

‘Nother thought… like Craig I rather liked Devil’s Advocate, not crazy about the subject matter but it was well done and well acted….now McGuff I think isn’t crazy about Pacino either, correct me if this is wrong, so I can see where you might not be impressed with a movie that stars both of them. To me Pacino is such a great actor, he is one I would show up to hear him read the phone book. In the DevilA, it was the perfect juxtaposition with Keanu’s more laid back style and Pacino being Pacino…

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  RB

A friend of mine worships Pacino. Even in full “hoo-ahh” mode, my friend thinks Pacino is awesome. This friend really talked up Devil’s Advocate like it was an overlooked masterpiece. So I went in with inflated expectations and could not believe what an incredibly cheesy mess of a movie it was. But cheese has its merits. Hammy overacting like “hoo-ahh” Pacino can be entertaining as all get out, if you’re in the mood for that sort of thing. I don’t think The Devil’s Advocate is a good movie. I’d go so far as to say it is a bad movie.… Read more »

RB
RB
9 years ago
Reply to  lebeau

How is what Pacino does “overacting.” I think one or two of the actors here called it “scenery chewing” which was not a familiar term to me. If it connects with the audience there is something to be said for that isn’t there? And Pacino doesn’t exactly elbow other actors out of the way. He is so charismatic that other actors seem to be elevated playing opposite him. Isn’t that in general good for a picture? The only movie I remember full “Hooah” mode was Scent of a Woman and that was the character. In Devil’s Advocate, maybe the movie… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  RB

I need to force myself to rewatch it. I remember being entertained. But that’s because I was laughing at it. Very loudly and much to the chagrin of my Pacino worshiping friend. Pacino’s performance was so over the top he looked like a cartoon character. I consider it to be a bad performance. But it fit the tone of the movie. So maybe it was perfectly pitched. These things are in the eye of the beholder. Maybe if I watch it again I will feel differently.

peyton
peyton
9 years ago

For one thing, Speed made 350, not 120. There is not one thing written in this disgusting article that is fair, every single thing is an attack on him. I’ve seen child molesters get better coverage than this! He got good reviews for The Gift, My Own Private Idaho, and even though it got bad reviews, The Day the Earth Stood Still is far from a flop or even disappointment. I cannot even put into words how god awful this article is.

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  peyton

Sorry you don’t like it. But so far, you haven’t named a single inaccuracy. Speed grossed $121,248,145 in the US. Usually when quoting grosses, this is the figure that is used unless one specifies that it is a world wide figure. The $350 mill figure you are using is international. Everything else you mentioned is a matter of opinion. Do I think the article had a slant? Yes. Is Reeves being compared to a child molester? No. Is it fair? Debatable. But I think your reaction is largely emotional. The article gives Reeves his due for his long career and… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  dwmcguff

I don’t believe you had anything to apologize for. I hope your apology was directed to peyton and not to me because we’re totally cool. I have been editing your rewrite and I think it is fair. One thing I am doing stylistically is changing most of the “Keanu”s to “Reeves”. I left a few when they were part of a joke. There were originally over 100 “Keanu”s which I think may have contributed to a tone of disrespect. Typically in the series, I only use the first name of the actor in the introduction. From that point on, I… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  dwmcguff

Excellent!

peyton
peyton
9 years ago

Also, there was nothing minor about the success of the lake house. The budget was 40 and the final gross was 114, does that sound minor? That sounds like a fig fat hit to me, and constantine was not a flop, it made 230 against a budget of 100. It may not have been as successful as the matrix, but 130 profit doesn’t sound like a bomb to me.

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  peyton

You are quoting worldwide figures. That’s not how this game is played. Domestically, it grossed just over $50 million. Counting marketing costs, it may not have even turned a profit in the US. It opened in 4th place at the box office. That’s not a hit. Calling it a minor success is actually being too generous in my opinion. I’d classify it as so-so or even a disappointment. Once again, Reeves had to rely on his international appeal to save the day. Constantine cost $100 million dollars and earned back $75 in the US. Movies that fail to recoup their… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  dwmcguff

Cool. Personally, I didn’t think the original article was unfair. At least not any more than some of the other articles in the series. My Val Kilmer article ends with a bunch of pictures of him at his fattest. That’s not fair. He’s even lost a lot of that weight. I fully acknowledge that is not fair. But most people think it’s funny and I figure Val Kilmer can take it. So I live with being slightly unfair. If I had thought the original version of the article crossed a line, I would have let you know. I didn’t have… Read more »

daffystardust
Editor
9 years ago
Reply to  dwmcguff

oops! this is what happens sometimes when I spend half an hour composing a comment. By the time I post it, there’s no point. Ah well…:-)

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  daffystardust

I’m reading/editing the new version. And I have to say, the changes are subtle. Which is good. I would have hated for the original article to get gutted because of a few comments.

bygeorge (@bygeorgecs)
Reply to  daffystardust

I thought the article was a bit harsh. Especially compared to the Lebeau entries. I agree Reeves is not as natural as some of his peers, but he obviously has had enough talent to become a big star. The question is how? I would have been interested on more elucidation on how he has been able to become a A list star with a long career given his limited range. However, it was an informative and interesting article, that maybe needed a little work on style and tone.

daffystardust
Editor
9 years ago

Boy, people sure can get peeved when their heroes are criticized. I’m not going to have the conversation about box office take, because frankly I just don’t care. There are lots of examples of great films that did poorly financially and lots of examples of terrible films that made lots of money. Don’t quote box office and tell me that makes a good movie. It doesn’t. I have absolutely nothing against Reeves as a human being. By all accounts he is a good fellow. It is completely fair, however, to say that overall his acting skills have proven to be… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  daffystardust

Thanks for lending some perspective to the proceedings. Taken as a whole, I think the comments section always turns into a balanced conversation.

RB
RB
9 years ago
Reply to  daffystardust

I liked Something’s Gotta Give, but oddly it wasn’t my favorite Reeves performance because of the realism factor. (Watch out.. Lebeau is not exactly a fan of Director Myers…) Nicholson and Keaton obviously carried the film, and yes Reeves was very charming – almost effervescent. But realistically a handsome young doctor is not going to fall for a middle aged woman old enough to be his mother. Hell I WISH that could happen! He was positively giddy over the Keaton character. Yeah, no. That doctor is going to fall for a shapely nurse half his age. Myers’ work charms me… Read more »

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  RB

It’s true. I’m not a fan of Myers’ work. But others are and I can understand that. I am not the target demo for her movies. Any more than I am for the Twilight series of the TV shows on Bravo my wife can’t get enough of. I don’t mind the lack of “realism” in Something’s Gotta Give. It’s a rom com. Rom coms are romantic fantasies. If we can have rom coms where young, beautiful women fall for ugly middle aged stand-up comics, I’m okay with one where a hunky doctor falls for Diane Keaton. She is Diane Keaton… Read more »

daffystardust
Editor
9 years ago
Reply to  RB

Lebeau beat me to this particular point. One of the functions which the movies can serve is as wish fulfillment. This plot point in Something’s Gotta Give is okay by me for a couple of reasons: 1) it is a flip-flop of the much more prevalent movie pairing of young women with older men (and let’s admit that when we see an older famous actor next to an age-appropriate woman on the red carpet it is kind of a surprise) and 2) the script recognizes the situation as unusual. The characters recognize it.

peyton
peyton
9 years ago

Why don’t you count worldwide figures? That’s how almost every studio makes their money back, you act like worldwide doesn’t mean anything. I never said reeves was being compared to a child molester, but there is not one thing in the article that is critique, it’s all one big attempt to tear into him and insult him.

lebeau
Admin
9 years ago
Reply to  peyton

Clearly the tone didn’t work for you. I thought it was on the harsh side but not unfair. We will have to agree to disagree. Worldwide figures do matter. But when one is determining whether or not a movie is a hit, a bomb or something in between, they matter a lot less than domestic numbers. Part of the reason for that is that things get really complicated when you start factoring in international numbers. There are a lot of additional costs above and beyond the production costs. And the studio keeps a smaller percentage of the grosses. International grosses… Read more »

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