Next Friday a film called Street Kings hits theaters nationwide. It stars some great people, like Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, John Corbett and the ever-delicious Common. It also stars Keanu Reeves.
Reeves' presence in a movie is almost a deal breaker for me (though, of course I'm still going to see Street Kings). When I recently voiced this opinion at the office, however, there were a few dissenting voices (though I won't name names). So, I'm curious: what say you about Keanu?
Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight
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Sweet November & Speed were the only I liked
1he cannot act!
2in high school my math teacher said he couldn't act his way out of a paper bag
3i find him amusing. i love him even though i think he is a terrible actor.
4I usually avoid his movies because he can't really act but I will see this one because it sounds wicked.
5He is very hit for miss for me. I loved him in Speed, Bill & Tedd, The Lake House, The Matrix, Bill & Ted & My Own Private Idaho. Everything else...not so much.
6He is not a very good actor, but there is something about his presence that I find very appealing. Not just as eye candy, either.
7I'll give him My Own Private Idaho too, but that's about it.
8It all depends - he's really good at one role (lovable not so bright brave dude), but when he strays (for example, oh, I don't know - SHAKESPEARE) he just tanks. If he makes another movie like Parenthood, Bill & Ted, Speed, or the Matrix - I'm in.
9Brittfish--right on! He was just embarrassing in Much Ado About Nothing--I felt sorry for him.
10I still want him to do well though.
Keanu was at his best in Little Buddha, I think.
He's okay...I liked him in The Matrix, Bill & Ted, and a Walk in the Clouds.
11common is delicious?
12I saw the movie yesterday and he was great! Ayer is an excellent director and the casting was spot on. It's a dirty and violent movie and Keanu was excellent.
Since I've seen all his movies, I may be a bit biased.
13Love him and I think he gets a bad rap. I'd watch paint dry if he was standing near the wall.
14I thought the Matrix sucked and he sucked in it. But I will give him:
Bill & Ted (both)
Parenthood
My Own Private Idaho
Thumbsucker
That's it. He's been awful in everything else I've seen him in.
15Oh, yeah, and Speed. He wasn't good in it but that movie is a guilty pleasure of mine.
16Seriously? You could substitute a cardboard cutout of him in every scene and no one would notice. I really don't get it.
17yes he is a terrible actor, and it often semms like he just makes some bad choices - much ado about nothing(partly the casting director's fault), dracula, point break. however, some of his movies are fantastic, and he seems to be adequate to good in them, such as the devil's advocate, the matrix, sweet november, and bill and ted's. but I think the main attraction of keanu reeves is that he has this indescribable charm, where you know he's just a regular guy who is sweet and kind. I know that he takes care of his mom, who is paralyzed or something like that, which makes him even more attractive...
18Love Keanu! He sucks just like every other actor in Hollywood but it's okay. He looks good on the big screen and everyone else is jealous.
19to answer em113's question, yes, Common is delicious! if you don't believe me, watch smokin' aces (a terrible movie, however, it has some great performances from the scrumptious Jeremy Piven, the lovely Alicia Keys, and the - yes, delicious - Common...
20Love him, love his acting.
River's Edge - Absolutely AMAZING! Feeling Minnesota he is amazing. Constantine - amazing. Hardball - heartbreaking, real and amazing. Thumbsucker - hilarious and nuanced.
People see only what they want to see with him - a guy with a weird name who has played some roles that have pigeon-holed him in the eyes of the general public.
21lizlee89, you're exactly right! I don't particularly like his acting either, but I can't help but like him. He's very laid back and charming, and you have to admit it, even though many have problems with his acting...he's made a big name for himself in Hollywood.
22People say he can't act often or he's playing himself. But he was fantastic as a racist redneck in "The Gift". In "Street Kings", he's very rough and mean. He stands toe to toe with Forest and steps up his game.
23I don't get how people put him down more than other actors. He's been in the business for 22 years, always on top. That says as much about him as about the people who say he can't act.
Big name directors like e.g. Frears, Bertolucci, Branagh, Ford Coppola wouldn't bother with someone who can't act, just because he's got a good agent. And if a part doesn't turn out so well, it's at least as much the director's fault as the actor's, and then there's another factor called editing.
Most of the negative opinion voiced here is personal and not really thought through, responding to a stereotype image people have of him for whatever reason. It shines a bigger light on his detractors than on Keanu.
24lizlee--well said--I agree
25I'm not that impressed with his acting and won't go out of my way to watch one of his movies, but I won't NOT see one because he's in it either. I thought he held his own in "A Scanner Darkly" too.
26I chosed other, I don't have a high opinion of his acting but I can't put that aside depending of the movie. I liked ''the replacements'' and that movie where he trains kids to play baseball.
27''that movie where he trains kids to play baseball.'' The title was Hardball.
28I have loved Keanu since forever I guess. Bill and Ted oh soo cheesy and good. And he is good in some roles. I actually thought he wasn't so terrible in Much ado but maybe that's just because I am a fan. He's adorable and he has a certain vulnerability that you can't deny. I think maybe that is why people say he can't act or that he is always playing himself, because he just seems so honest and not trying to hard to be convincing. I love a walk in the clouds and a lot of his other movies. I did not however like little Buddha but still went to see it just because he was in it and I think his part was actually pretty great.
29I will always be a sucker for Keanu!!
For one thing I am an 80's girl.. so I grew up with Kea!
And will he win an Oscar ..um probably not. But does he make some enjoyable movies with interesting performances.. yep!
I loved River's Edge, Parenthood, Point Break, My Own Private Idaho (RIP River), Little Buddha, Speed, The Gift, Matrix, Sweet Novemeber (shh do not tell anyone I like that crappy movie.. Somethings Gotta Give also falls into the don't ask don't tell catagory), Constantine (Kea and Shia in a movie..forget about it!!!) and I am counting the days until The Day the Earth Stood Still!!!
Add that he has had such a tragic life (you cannot help but root for him and want to see the guy find some happiness). And that he seems like a enuinely down to Earth generous guy.
I will always shell out the price of a movie ticket and popcorn for Keanu!
30Bil and Ted, Bill and Ted . . . God, I love that movie. In Keanu's defense, bad material can make an actor suck — all I need to do is invoke Natalie Portman (and everyone else) in Star Wars, Episodes 1-3.
31I have to admit I'm a bit of a Keanu fan. I try to go and see every movie he is in. He can be really bad and play in really bad movies, but still he is Johnny Utah, and I will always give him credit for that.
32And I also really like 'Speed', 'Matrix' (only the first one), 'Constantine', 'My Own Private Idaho', 'Little Budha', 'Dracula', 'A scanner darkly'.
Not so much - not to say not at all - 'Sweet November', 'Something's gotta give', 'Hard Ball', 'The lake house' though.
I don't think he's very versatile - when he wants to be serious, he loses a lot of the finer points of emotion. Which is weird if you've ever seen him interviewed or on commentary on a DVD. He's very animated and energetic as himself.
33Nonetheless - A Scanner Darkly and Thumbsucker made me give him a second chance in my head.
Are you freaking serious? Some of you who think he's the worst actor? Is he *really* the worst you ever saw? Give me a break. You're just jumping on the bandwagon with all the wannabe cool kids in Keanu bashing. He definitely suffered some unfair criticism over the years. When people say things like "he can't act, he can't act out of a paper bag, he's wooden, and the like", it makes me think that person doesn't think for themselves and just regurgitating the stupid things people say who really haven't seen any of his films. He wouldn't have 20+ years of a career if he was that bad. He isn't the best actor in Hollywood, but he's up there with other A-list actors. And he's getting better too. He's been great in "River's Edge, The Gift, Matrix, Devil's Advocate, Something's Gotta Give, Constantine and few other obscure ones. I'm sick of this unwarranted Keanu bashing for no real good reason.
34He's also very generous giving each of his stunt men a Harley and $1 million each to the special effects people for the movie Matrix.
Other: I'll wait until they come out on video.
35Love love love love love love Keanu Reeves and he gets a bad rap. He is a great actor and oh sooooooo cute.
36he gets a bad rap for no good reason? i wouldn't go that far. most of his performances are unintentionally comedic. but i love him anyway.
37I think he's been in GOOD movies, BUT they weren't good because of him... usually a supporting actor has to make up for where he lacks. Like Devil's Advocate is great... but not because of Keanu... it's great because of Al Pacino. I love Bill and Ted and I totally forgot he was in Parenthood... I love that movie but haven't watched it in years... I'll have to re watch it.
38I like him & his movies.
39I want to avoid his movies because I don't think he's very good, but he does select some good movies, so I end up watching them. I liked Matrix, The Devil's Advocate, Much Ado About Nothing, My Own Private Idaho, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (but come on... how much acting was really involved there?), and probably a few others. He's just too wooden on screen, but sometimes that's tolerable if there's a good movie otherwise.
40you're totally right. he picks good flicks. and the key with him is to use him for what he's worth--mostly action with minimal dialogue, surrounded by a strong supporting cast. (i was surprised by much ado about nothing. good flick, but not in keeping with the formula.) i'm not gonna lie, i enjoyed constantine and can't turn it off if i catch it on tv.
he is actually #1 at the top of my list but i have no illusions as to his acting abilities (which granted, have improved over the years).
41Depends on what the movie calls for. He plays stoic and angry very well (The Gift and Much Ado About Nothing). But, there are times when I think God, that kids terrible. But, will always love Keanu, so I'll keep watching.
42I love Bill & Ted, Devil's Advocate, Point Break, and A Scanner Darkly. I don't think he's the greatest actor ever, but he can definitely be entertaining.
43Hmm. I've always been kind of indifferent toward him.
44Love him and most of his movies. Really tired of all the Keanu- bashing that goes on.
45Love him, he's not the best actor who ever lived, but he's damn sexy.
46I think we all can agree that his first huge break was Speed and then of course the Matrix trilogy. He wasn't half bad in a walk in the clouds either. I don't find Keanu to be a particularly great actor and more often than not he's simple satisfactory.
One of the demons that accompanied the explosion of MTV in the early eighties is our obsession with image and the seeming need to cast more and more men and woman with model looks and gym toned bodies in TV and Music. Keanu fit that bill very nicely. Think about it the actors on TV during the 60's, 70's and singers and groups in the music industry looked like everyday people. Skinny, fat, not everyone had to have perfect blinding white straight smile, or have looks that turn heads. It was easy to get work if you were a genuine great talent even if you looked like the average Joe.
Today it’s sad. We've aloud the industry to prop up all of these pretty faces warp our perception of what is talent and who is attractive. Now after years of this Barbie & Ken puppet fest we're beginning to realize that these people look great but a lot of them are not particularly talented.
Now I will give props to some of them because they have learned they're craft as they've come along, but again it's just sad to me when I can hear I homeless guy sing so well in the subway that his angelic voice brings a tear to my eye and then have to listen to the crap we get on the radio and the industry telling us it's talent. I think real actors are beginning to make a come back, but the music industry is still so controlled by image it's a joke.
47I won't not go see a movie because he is in it but I also won't go see a movie just because he's in it. Overall I think he's kind of weird
48horrible actor....might catch his stuff when it comes on tv, but only to make fun of him.
has anyone watched the matrix lately? oooo doesnt hold up well does it?
49must... watch.. NEO.. ALWAYS!
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