Lodge Kerrigan's film 'Keane' offers an emotionally harrowing portrayal of mental breakdown, aided by some unsettled (but apt) camera work and some fine performances from its small cast, including Damian Lewis in the lead role and child actor Abigail Breslin. Fun, it isn't, and the mystery of Keane's grasp on reality is never entirely solved, as the relationship between the real past, and the past as he imagines it, remains unclear. The film not only speaks of mental illness, but more generally, of the loneliness of life lived in public places (motels, bus stations) by those who cannot afford, or hold onto, a private corner of their own. It's disturbing but good.
73 Reviews
Riveting voyage into a disturbed mind
fertilecelluloid15 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Lodge Kerrigan made two very good movies before "Keane"; they were "Clean, Shaven" and "Claire Dolan". He specializes in depicting cinematically the troubled landscape of the human mind. His latest shares similarities with "Clean, Shaven" in that it is also about a mentally ill man (Damian Lewis) searching for a missing daughter. Lewis's portrayal of William Keane almost comes close to eclipsing Peter Green's extraordinary portrayal of a schizophrenic in the former film -- almost, but not quite.
Kerrigan is interested in the intricacies of behavior and is able to render every moment between two people fascinating. His direction of Keane's blossoming relationship with Abigail Breslin is superb, as are the sequences in which Keane searches for his missing daughter.
The film's final revelation is a scorcher.
This is not a pleasant or simplistic film. It is documenting a reality that feels familiar. It is not as graphic or physically confronting as "Clean, Shaven", which is both great drama and great horror, but it is riveting.
Kerrigan is interested in the intricacies of behavior and is able to render every moment between two people fascinating. His direction of Keane's blossoming relationship with Abigail Breslin is superb, as are the sequences in which Keane searches for his missing daughter.
The film's final revelation is a scorcher.
This is not a pleasant or simplistic film. It is documenting a reality that feels familiar. It is not as graphic or physically confronting as "Clean, Shaven", which is both great drama and great horror, but it is riveting.
Damian Lewis brilliant
SnoopyStyle9 December 2015
Disturbed William Keane (Damian Lewis) is frantically searching the bus terminal in NYC. He's broke and barely able to pay for his room. He befriends neighbor Lynn Bedik (Amy Ryan) and her daughter Kira (Abigail Breslin). He does drugs with Michelle (Tina Holmes). He's looking for his daughter but it's questionable whether it's real or all in his mind.
Damian Lewis does a brilliant job as a mentally disturbed man. I love the scene in the bar as he tries to listen to the music. More visual cinematic moves can be done to create his mental illness. He needs to have hallucinations of his daughter and she needs to be on screen. It's also a bit slow at times. Otherwise, this is a great character movie.
Damian Lewis does a brilliant job as a mentally disturbed man. I love the scene in the bar as he tries to listen to the music. More visual cinematic moves can be done to create his mental illness. He needs to have hallucinations of his daughter and she needs to be on screen. It's also a bit slow at times. Otherwise, this is a great character movie.
Haunting, well-acted and worth seeing
dpastor18 October 2004
Keane is a haunting film about a man suffering from both schizophrenia and the abduction of his 7 year old daughter. The director used long takes and up-close shots so that the audience feels drawn into the mindset of the man. While the movie is very intense, it is not unbelievingly depressing primarily due to Damian Lewis' outstanding performance as Keane. He befriends a single mom and her 7 year old daughter and those scenes manage to convey a mix of sadness, humanity and foreboding as we see Keane struggling with his inner demons. Most Hollywood actors would give a scenery-chewing performance of grief and madness - but Lewis gives a searing, contained portrayal. He shows us this man's humanity, but does not flinch from also exposing his flaws, including drug abuse and physical violence.
Keenly focused, but linear and repetitive...and tiring
secondtake31 January 2011
Keane (2004)
This is a one man show all the way, and young, slightly crazed father played by Damian Lewis gives it his intense best. Almost nothing happens for 100 minutes, nothing in the sense of plot development, so it really is up to Lewis to make his troubles come alive. His problem is that his daughter disappeared when he was with her in a bus station, and a year later he is still looking for her, trying to recreated the events that surrounded the mystery.
But what strikes the viewer is maybe impatience, not with the narrative, but with the presentation of it. The movie ends up being a recreation of the tortured mind, the angst, the regrets, of this young father. And so the movie recreates that anxiety in the viewer. It seems impressive on some detached level, but it doesn't quiet work. The shaky camera, the constant striving and looking, the endless lack of progress, makes for unpleasant viewing. That doesn't mean it isn't interesting, but it isn't enjoyable. Oddly enough, many movies about terrible things manage to rise above their terribleness and the movie becomes moving, or enlightening, or simply aesthetic. "Keane" doesn't try to do any of those things.
It would help if Lewis were able to create a more sympathetic type. You do want him to succeed, but you also don't want to really spend an hour and a half with him like this. When a second character, a young woman, arrives halfway through, it seems like a crack in the gloom, but then she doesn't become a major character. Her daughter, gradually, does, but only in a symbolic way--we never quite get to know or sympathize with the daughter directly.
This is all more analysis than criticism, really. But it's a heads up for people looking for a certain kind of emotional drama. A movie like "Julie" has a filmic richness that takes an even worse situation about a child and makes it gripping. "Keane" remains in the mind and emotional troubles of its main character, and in Lewis's hands that's not really enough.
This is a one man show all the way, and young, slightly crazed father played by Damian Lewis gives it his intense best. Almost nothing happens for 100 minutes, nothing in the sense of plot development, so it really is up to Lewis to make his troubles come alive. His problem is that his daughter disappeared when he was with her in a bus station, and a year later he is still looking for her, trying to recreated the events that surrounded the mystery.
But what strikes the viewer is maybe impatience, not with the narrative, but with the presentation of it. The movie ends up being a recreation of the tortured mind, the angst, the regrets, of this young father. And so the movie recreates that anxiety in the viewer. It seems impressive on some detached level, but it doesn't quiet work. The shaky camera, the constant striving and looking, the endless lack of progress, makes for unpleasant viewing. That doesn't mean it isn't interesting, but it isn't enjoyable. Oddly enough, many movies about terrible things manage to rise above their terribleness and the movie becomes moving, or enlightening, or simply aesthetic. "Keane" doesn't try to do any of those things.
It would help if Lewis were able to create a more sympathetic type. You do want him to succeed, but you also don't want to really spend an hour and a half with him like this. When a second character, a young woman, arrives halfway through, it seems like a crack in the gloom, but then she doesn't become a major character. Her daughter, gradually, does, but only in a symbolic way--we never quite get to know or sympathize with the daughter directly.
This is all more analysis than criticism, really. But it's a heads up for people looking for a certain kind of emotional drama. A movie like "Julie" has a filmic richness that takes an even worse situation about a child and makes it gripping. "Keane" remains in the mind and emotional troubles of its main character, and in Lewis's hands that's not really enough.
Very good acting, middling script for a performance piece
imdb2-513 May 2017
My review will get panned as it's clear that many have had something to do with this film and thus the 7 rating.
Good: The acting is very good. Breslin does a great job as a young child who isn't quite sure whether the neighbor is truly helping or abducting her. Lewis is also excellent, very believable and always his character. The script is compelling in the sense that it's a good idea for a story. Lewis does a very good job being scrutinized as the only person on screen. That's not easy.
The Not So Good: The problem with the script is two fold. First, I had a hard time with credibility. You jump in to the film where a man who would be picked up by police quickly roams through a bus station. And the film is trying to pass off this "is he crazy or is he not crazy" question. But it is extremely exaggerated. And then this man, who appears to live barely day to day, also has a coke habit. It appears they are trying to portray the man as a schizophrenic but those don't know their other personalities. He's having a breakdown of sorts over a daughter he had and lost... although is it really the case? How about the woman he spoke to on the phone - or are we questioning whether she too is real? It sure seemed it to him during a lucid moment.
The lame: I understand what the filmmakers wanted to do. But all of promise of this "rewarding final third" of the film is just predictable and also not quite realistic. Neither were the liberties taken by the mother, which I will not write here. And then the ending.... no, it's not clever. It's usually a decision made to not want to provide a proper ending to a story, the usual gobbledygook about questions, choices, etc. Please... I didn't invest 90 minutes because I thought that all you wanted to do was show me a performance piece.
In the end, that's much of what this is - a low budget performance piece if you're up for that. They did a good job with what they have. And I will warn you now that you'll need complete patience to sit through this 90 minute film and realize that there isn't anything extraordinary statement made. It's more about the journey over a few days, if you believe it.
Good: The acting is very good. Breslin does a great job as a young child who isn't quite sure whether the neighbor is truly helping or abducting her. Lewis is also excellent, very believable and always his character. The script is compelling in the sense that it's a good idea for a story. Lewis does a very good job being scrutinized as the only person on screen. That's not easy.
The Not So Good: The problem with the script is two fold. First, I had a hard time with credibility. You jump in to the film where a man who would be picked up by police quickly roams through a bus station. And the film is trying to pass off this "is he crazy or is he not crazy" question. But it is extremely exaggerated. And then this man, who appears to live barely day to day, also has a coke habit. It appears they are trying to portray the man as a schizophrenic but those don't know their other personalities. He's having a breakdown of sorts over a daughter he had and lost... although is it really the case? How about the woman he spoke to on the phone - or are we questioning whether she too is real? It sure seemed it to him during a lucid moment.
The lame: I understand what the filmmakers wanted to do. But all of promise of this "rewarding final third" of the film is just predictable and also not quite realistic. Neither were the liberties taken by the mother, which I will not write here. And then the ending.... no, it's not clever. It's usually a decision made to not want to provide a proper ending to a story, the usual gobbledygook about questions, choices, etc. Please... I didn't invest 90 minutes because I thought that all you wanted to do was show me a performance piece.
In the end, that's much of what this is - a low budget performance piece if you're up for that. They did a good job with what they have. And I will warn you now that you'll need complete patience to sit through this 90 minute film and realize that there isn't anything extraordinary statement made. It's more about the journey over a few days, if you believe it.
Profound and Searing Story of A Man Struggling with Insanity
noralee25 September 2005
"Keane" is a searing portrayal of mental illness. Dominated by an intense tour de force performance by Damian Lewis of the titular character on screen in close-ups for the entire film, writer/director Lodge H. Kerrigan throws us into "Keane"s disturbed mind set from the get go, as we have to continually judge for ourselves what is his grip on reality.
His struggles with what may or may not be paranoid schizophrenia or a breakdown triggered by guilt are conveyed Dogme style, with no "A Beautiful Mind" tricks. Through his mutterings and movements we see the world from his tormented perspective as he painfully re-lives what is either a trauma or a delusion, and ache with him as he self-medicates with booze and drugs. We alarmingly get to understand his mind even as we fear for his safety and others around him, particularly each time he drinks a beer.
Lewis uses his leading man good looks, even disheveled, to show how manipulative and disarming a person with a fractured mind can be. We can viscerally feel his efforts to control his thoughts and behave responsibly when the stakes are very high. He uncannily captures the look of disturbed men seen unfortunately frequently on the streets of New York (I was punched by one once after he stared at me fixedly in a store) and who are brought to public attention openly after a subway platform pushing or inexplicable knife attack.
The ambient sound design brilliantly captures "Keane"s highly stimulated perceptions and keeps us at the edge of our seats in agony as to what sound or sight could set him off. The ambient song selections are beautifully selected to heighten his emotions, including the 4 Tops' "I Can't Help Myself."
The people who briefly interact with "Keane" are excellent character actors who create whole, almost as damaged individuals with just a few lines, particularly Tina Holmes as a coke head and Amy Ryan as a single mom with significant problems. Abigail Breslin is one of the sweetest children on screen in a long time and her projection of trustingness adds to the poignancy of her scenes with Lewis that have the audience holding their collective breaths for their unpredictability.
The film makes excellent use of realistic locations in New York and New Jersey with a gritty, very urban-sensitive cinematography.
The credits include thanks to Fountain House and Project Return which work to help the mentally ill fit into society. I wish more hopeful information on what is being done were added.
"Keane" is a profound example of the moving simplicity of the storyteller's art revealed by brilliant acting through characters that portray the human spirit.
His struggles with what may or may not be paranoid schizophrenia or a breakdown triggered by guilt are conveyed Dogme style, with no "A Beautiful Mind" tricks. Through his mutterings and movements we see the world from his tormented perspective as he painfully re-lives what is either a trauma or a delusion, and ache with him as he self-medicates with booze and drugs. We alarmingly get to understand his mind even as we fear for his safety and others around him, particularly each time he drinks a beer.
Lewis uses his leading man good looks, even disheveled, to show how manipulative and disarming a person with a fractured mind can be. We can viscerally feel his efforts to control his thoughts and behave responsibly when the stakes are very high. He uncannily captures the look of disturbed men seen unfortunately frequently on the streets of New York (I was punched by one once after he stared at me fixedly in a store) and who are brought to public attention openly after a subway platform pushing or inexplicable knife attack.
The ambient sound design brilliantly captures "Keane"s highly stimulated perceptions and keeps us at the edge of our seats in agony as to what sound or sight could set him off. The ambient song selections are beautifully selected to heighten his emotions, including the 4 Tops' "I Can't Help Myself."
The people who briefly interact with "Keane" are excellent character actors who create whole, almost as damaged individuals with just a few lines, particularly Tina Holmes as a coke head and Amy Ryan as a single mom with significant problems. Abigail Breslin is one of the sweetest children on screen in a long time and her projection of trustingness adds to the poignancy of her scenes with Lewis that have the audience holding their collective breaths for their unpredictability.
The film makes excellent use of realistic locations in New York and New Jersey with a gritty, very urban-sensitive cinematography.
The credits include thanks to Fountain House and Project Return which work to help the mentally ill fit into society. I wish more hopeful information on what is being done were added.
"Keane" is a profound example of the moving simplicity of the storyteller's art revealed by brilliant acting through characters that portray the human spirit.
Disappointed at the lack of a narrative
info-1720418 July 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't know what to make of this movie. I'd heard so much about the film, and was really looking forward to it. Being a film director, I'd just completed a short drama (Open Secrets) about mental illness, so was keen to see how this subject would receive the big screen feature length treatment.
I found the protagonist's acting first rate, and was totally immersed in his realism. But I must admit I found the plodding narrative and sudden plot twists a bit strange. For instance, he exhibited all the manic behaviour of a typical bi-polar individual, then as soon as he met the lady with the young girl in the hotel, his behaviour became charming and sensitive. I've done a lot of research into mental illness for my short film, and I know that mental patients on a 'high' do not become "normal" by simply switching their illness 'off'. Mental illness is not something that can be flicked on and off randomly by the individual concerned and yet here I found that to be the case here. The protagonist would became crazed with mania, then suddenly in the next scene he would be contrite and mellow.
Top marks to the film-makers though for a brave attempt at a difficult topic, though. The film looks beautiful, with great cinematography and editing. I felt that the script was where it could have been improved upon. Perhaps the actor's performance was improvised, in which case it was an excellent job, but still lacked narrative clarity. After about half an hour of viewing the film, I began to wonder whether I could last the entire length of the movie.
As I mentioned, I have mixed feelings about this film. On the one hand I didn't really "enjoy" the film as it has a weakish story, but on the other hand the film is a landmark because there aren't many feature length dramas about mental illness, and this one was pretty good in many respects. Overall, I was glad to have seen the film on cable TV, and not paid to see it in a cinema, as I don't really think the film fully justifies paying a ticket price.
I found the protagonist's acting first rate, and was totally immersed in his realism. But I must admit I found the plodding narrative and sudden plot twists a bit strange. For instance, he exhibited all the manic behaviour of a typical bi-polar individual, then as soon as he met the lady with the young girl in the hotel, his behaviour became charming and sensitive. I've done a lot of research into mental illness for my short film, and I know that mental patients on a 'high' do not become "normal" by simply switching their illness 'off'. Mental illness is not something that can be flicked on and off randomly by the individual concerned and yet here I found that to be the case here. The protagonist would became crazed with mania, then suddenly in the next scene he would be contrite and mellow.
Top marks to the film-makers though for a brave attempt at a difficult topic, though. The film looks beautiful, with great cinematography and editing. I felt that the script was where it could have been improved upon. Perhaps the actor's performance was improvised, in which case it was an excellent job, but still lacked narrative clarity. After about half an hour of viewing the film, I began to wonder whether I could last the entire length of the movie.
As I mentioned, I have mixed feelings about this film. On the one hand I didn't really "enjoy" the film as it has a weakish story, but on the other hand the film is a landmark because there aren't many feature length dramas about mental illness, and this one was pretty good in many respects. Overall, I was glad to have seen the film on cable TV, and not paid to see it in a cinema, as I don't really think the film fully justifies paying a ticket price.
Extraordinarily Real
Norwegianheretic19 September 2005
Only quite rarely does a film have the quality of an event really taking place. You get that feeling when you are watching 'Keane.' Most filmmakers, even the most gifted, don't seem to have the uncompromising devotion to create a realistic world in their films. Inevitably, the temptation to show their stylistic talent is what dooms well-intentioned 'verite' directors to water down their works with artifice. The only other film, in recent years, that also succeeded in recreating the real world, was 'Rosetta,' a French film that won the Palme D'Or a few years back.
And the reality that Lodge Kerrigan and the actor, Damian Lewis, create in 'Keane' is one that is particularly difficult to create - it is a reality of a person on the edge of sanity, a reality that few people who are sane enough (if anyone can be considered sane in this business)to get a film made would ever have experienced. Unfortunately, I can understand the isolation, paranoia and desperation that William Keane expresses in this movie. And it expressed with an alarming verisimilitude.
Despite my first comment that 'Keane' is a film without artifice, there are elements to the structure and editing that show the director/writer had made extremely subtle uses of film technique to compress, heighten and intensify William Keane's psychological character.
Finally, I must add that this film is an emotionally rewarding experience, providing a denouement that is cleansing and healing - a 'happy ending' that smacks of real life, not the strange and manipulative world of formula film making. When I left the theater, I felt stronger, purged, for a while at least, of the private terrors that always lurk beneath the surface.
And the reality that Lodge Kerrigan and the actor, Damian Lewis, create in 'Keane' is one that is particularly difficult to create - it is a reality of a person on the edge of sanity, a reality that few people who are sane enough (if anyone can be considered sane in this business)to get a film made would ever have experienced. Unfortunately, I can understand the isolation, paranoia and desperation that William Keane expresses in this movie. And it expressed with an alarming verisimilitude.
Despite my first comment that 'Keane' is a film without artifice, there are elements to the structure and editing that show the director/writer had made extremely subtle uses of film technique to compress, heighten and intensify William Keane's psychological character.
Finally, I must add that this film is an emotionally rewarding experience, providing a denouement that is cleansing and healing - a 'happy ending' that smacks of real life, not the strange and manipulative world of formula film making. When I left the theater, I felt stronger, purged, for a while at least, of the private terrors that always lurk beneath the surface.
Little Boy Lost
writers_reign22 September 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Damian Lewis is a fine actor but someone should really tell him that he doesn't do accents. After his hilarious attempt at Russian in Stormbreaker he fares only marginally better with American - what we get is not so much Mid-Atlantic as about fifty miles from England Atlantic - and is in danger of becoming a latter-day Sean Connery with his roots eternally showing. That said he turns in a fairly decent performance here helped by the director shooting 90 per cent of the film with Lewis's head and shoulders filling the frame. The support hardly gets a look-in but nevertheless each one is more than competent. So what's it about? Glad you asked because it's about what YOU, the viewer WANT it to be about. It's evident from Frame #1 that Keane isn't playing with a full deck as he ostensibly lurks around PATH looking for a daughter who may or may not exist. An early clue - Keane makes a phone call and asks for a woman who isn't or doesn't want to be available to speak to him - that perhaps he has lost custody to an estranged/divorced wife leads nowhere and doesn't surface again. Gradually the film veers onto another course and seems to be about connecting and we are reminded of The Woodsman in the scenes when Keane befriends a girl who is the same age as his missing daughter if, of course, he HAS a daughter. It's not exactly a Saturday night movie but it is worth seeing.
F-dash-dash-K Realism
sherrick-427 May 2006
Warning: Spoilers
This is the first time that my reaction to a film was, "I should write a scathing review of this on IMDb.com". Well, here we go: From the start, the credits were minimized as well as the title screen, to allude to the insignificance of discourse. Or, maybe the director was simply following the cookie-cutter trends of the postmodern indie film. Either way, the bleak story of Keane, a mentally ill, sexually frustrated, drug addicted wack job managed to be both stressful and a snoozer at the same time. Aside from his internal conflicts centered around coming to terms with the abduction of his daughter, the first portion of the film lacks conflict development and/or resolution. His awkwardness makes the film very difficult to watch at times. At no point in the film are new twists revealed or points of interest developed. He simply wallows in his own shortcomings, while dragging the viewer through endless minutes of empty symbolism and "dramatic" cinematography. The "realistic" qualities of the film are anything but subject matter for a motion picture. Kids get abducted. People snort coke. Hearts get broken and people fornicate without condoms. C'est la vie. Watch the news for proof. There is no soundtrack, because when you're mentally ill, you can't hear things except for your own demons screaming in your cerebral cortex. I would know.
Brilliant
sonnyheaven9 November 2004
Warning: Spoilers
I had heard good things about this film from other people who have seen it, but you know how it is, you have to see it for yourself. Well, I have seen it and I recommend it to anyone who has the chance to see this film. First off it's not an easy movie to take, the subject matter is intense, but not in a bad way. It's all due to the brilliant performance given by Damian Lewis that you get so emotionally involved in his story. Right from the start you see the agony of William Keane (Damian Lewis) as he searches for his missing daughter and you can't help but feel like your in his situation, his emotions leap off the screen and come right at you. Then you start to see how tortured he is, especially when you learn he's suffering from schizophrenia and he's basically self medicating himself. This film is worth your time, and has a good cast. Damian Lewis should get most of the credit, he's performance is Oscar worthy. He was his character, not an actor playing a mentally unstable man. His performance reminds you what acting is really all about.
A definite case of 'Mwah'
The_Melancholic_Alcoholic3 May 2007
After the end of the film my first thought was "What's the point?". And although the film kinda ends abruptly, I knew it was ending the moment Breslin says "I love you". To be honest, this film made me feel very uncomfortable, luckily I watched it alone, and i FFWD through the beginning a lot, since it is embarrassing to watch and every second you expect this guy to make even more of a fool of himself than he is doing. Of course, that fact alone gives away that the acting is great, and it really is. Of course Breslin is her usual greatness, but here Lewis definitely takes the cake. He is superb!
This film looks low budget, but I was wondering all through the movie how much extras were used, and they were all extras, since none of them looked into the camera. I'd really hate that.
The beginning is really hard to watch, even though I like indie movies, with a lack of background music, but it is just that the character Keane is extremely unappealing in his madness, or supposed madness. It is a good thing that the film doesn't provide a prêt-à-porter answer to it's major questions, like : Is he really crazy, is it a dream, is the Kira the girl he really lost instead of Sophie? Because, at one time, I had the feeling that there was a flashback structure, that the beginning was really the end of the story and that Kira was the girl he lost, upon which he lost his mind and mistook her for Sophie, his real daughter who is apparently unavailable to him because of a divorce. In that sense I was a little surprised, which was nice.
All in all, a quality film which is not easy on the eyes, except with the non-nude sex scene. That scene throws you off, cause it indicates that he's not quite the deplorable character he seems to be in the beginning. In that sense, it is debatable whether Lewis is a miscast since he has this typical middle-class suburban image, and not an outsider/fringe/loner. That is puzzling.
This film looks low budget, but I was wondering all through the movie how much extras were used, and they were all extras, since none of them looked into the camera. I'd really hate that.
The beginning is really hard to watch, even though I like indie movies, with a lack of background music, but it is just that the character Keane is extremely unappealing in his madness, or supposed madness. It is a good thing that the film doesn't provide a prêt-à-porter answer to it's major questions, like : Is he really crazy, is it a dream, is the Kira the girl he really lost instead of Sophie? Because, at one time, I had the feeling that there was a flashback structure, that the beginning was really the end of the story and that Kira was the girl he lost, upon which he lost his mind and mistook her for Sophie, his real daughter who is apparently unavailable to him because of a divorce. In that sense I was a little surprised, which was nice.
All in all, a quality film which is not easy on the eyes, except with the non-nude sex scene. That scene throws you off, cause it indicates that he's not quite the deplorable character he seems to be in the beginning. In that sense, it is debatable whether Lewis is a miscast since he has this typical middle-class suburban image, and not an outsider/fringe/loner. That is puzzling.
More annoying than brilliant
tjwalker128 November 2005
Someone must have thought this would be a good idea for a movie. What is going through the head of that guy wandering down the street? Why is that guy sleeping on the street? Who lives in those rent by the day city hotels? ...But it wasn't.
Keane goes on and on with the aimless wandering and mumbling of a supposed street schizo. Sound exciting? If you said no, that's right. The film never answers where this guy came from, so you never get to decide whether to have empathy for him or not.
Writing. I'd say the film never goes anywhere. There no ups or downs, just an even keeled annoying 'maybe I'm mental' chain of events. The only possible suspense is whether Keane's turmoil is based on real or imagine events, but that is never resolved.
Acting. The lead did a good job with what material he had. He is a convincing street schizo. It was nice to see a couple of quality actors from HBO series on the big screen from The Wire and Six Feet Under, but no real meat on their parts to take them beyond 'I know that actor from somewhere'
Luckily, you only have to sit through this film for 93 minutes and you're done. Whew.
Keane goes on and on with the aimless wandering and mumbling of a supposed street schizo. Sound exciting? If you said no, that's right. The film never answers where this guy came from, so you never get to decide whether to have empathy for him or not.
Writing. I'd say the film never goes anywhere. There no ups or downs, just an even keeled annoying 'maybe I'm mental' chain of events. The only possible suspense is whether Keane's turmoil is based on real or imagine events, but that is never resolved.
Acting. The lead did a good job with what material he had. He is a convincing street schizo. It was nice to see a couple of quality actors from HBO series on the big screen from The Wire and Six Feet Under, but no real meat on their parts to take them beyond 'I know that actor from somewhere'
Luckily, you only have to sit through this film for 93 minutes and you're done. Whew.
Oh so Indie.
anthonyjlangford4 June 2013
This will be remembered more for the period it was made rather than its content. It's hand-held cinema verite style in almost Dogma fashion is very much in that late nineties to mid 2000's vein. That's not necessarily a bad thing. The acting is top notch and the direction too and most of the elements are in place, even though it does feel like many others that came before it and since.
The problem is in it's authenticity. The first act sets up a very damaged man. In the second he can apparently turn his illness off like a switch. Now many people can hide their problems, such as alcoholics, those with anger issues, but this doesn't border on the ridiculous, it is ridiculous. I'd love to hear from true sufferers such as the type revealed in the beginning of the film (very well portrayed by the way) but magically throws it out the window. I think it's an insult to genuine sufferers of mental illness.
Still, the other characters are totally believable even if their actions are not always which seems such a shame because you do care about these people, especially when there's a child at stake.
The ending simply annoyed and yet, again, slots right into that type of indie filmmaking typical of this period. It will ultimately be no different than looking back on film noir, early screwball comedy's, seventies horror or even eighties teenage flicks. A film entrenched in its style without fully extending beyond it. Which is a shame as so much of it is good, especially the primary performance.
The problem is in it's authenticity. The first act sets up a very damaged man. In the second he can apparently turn his illness off like a switch. Now many people can hide their problems, such as alcoholics, those with anger issues, but this doesn't border on the ridiculous, it is ridiculous. I'd love to hear from true sufferers such as the type revealed in the beginning of the film (very well portrayed by the way) but magically throws it out the window. I think it's an insult to genuine sufferers of mental illness.
Still, the other characters are totally believable even if their actions are not always which seems such a shame because you do care about these people, especially when there's a child at stake.
The ending simply annoyed and yet, again, slots right into that type of indie filmmaking typical of this period. It will ultimately be no different than looking back on film noir, early screwball comedy's, seventies horror or even eighties teenage flicks. A film entrenched in its style without fully extending beyond it. Which is a shame as so much of it is good, especially the primary performance.
Manic, not schizophrenic- but an amazing film either way
kitkorner29 August 2016
To start off I just want to say that this man does not have schizophrenia. I'm not sure if it got mixed up due to the fact that he directed another film where the main character had schizophrenia or if people can't tell the difference between mental illnesses and just went off of what this description said. Keane suffers from bipolar disorder, this is a very accurate representation of what it is like to have a manic episode. Now to put all that aside- this is an amazing movie. The hectic pace keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the whole thing but there is enough tender moments to keep things on an even keel. The cinematography is amazing and keeps us close to the character. I do wish the ending was a little different but that's just my opinion. I'm a huge fan of Lodge Kerrigan's work and if you can you should take the time to see a few of his other films. Like Gus Van Sant, he has a penchant for showing the lives of the type of people that are not usually represented on the big screen.
Keane is really a great film!
lkjanes619 July 2005
In Keane, director Lodge Kerrigan shows us a world we often try to avoid, the world of poverty and mental illness. Damian Lewis is riveting as the title character. Keane is a man who is struggling to be normal in spite of his illness, isolation and the loss of his child. We see Keane's life with all it's ugly and often self-destructive details that include drug use, violence, and anonymous sex. But somehow Kerrigan and Lewis make us pity Keane. The scenes that show interaction between Keene and the young girl he befriends are both terrifying and touching. The film is intense, exciting, scary and brilliant. This is an important movie and both Lodge Kerrigan and Damian Lewis deserve recognition for creating this incredible movie.
In Search for Sanity
Chrysanthepop1 July 2011
Lodge Kerrigan takes the viewer to the world of Keane who struggles to stay on the thin line of sanity. The film is executed in such a unique way that allows the viewer to be an invisible spectator observing Keane in his disturbed world. Kerrigan also provides a glimpse into Keane's fractured schizophrenic mind and he successfully manages to create a sense of isolation. At first we question what is real in this world that the director portrays and what is not and no definitive solution is provided because that's not what 'Keane' is about as all of it is real to him. In the opening sequence we see him searching for his daughter whom he had lost a year ago. Perhaps this is a metaphor referring to the time when he hit rock bottom with his illness and has been trying since to find his way out. Shot with excellent cinematography, using slightly washed out colours and dim lighting, the atmosphere is effectively gloomy and claustrophobic.
But, 'Keane' is a character-driven piece and credit must go to Kerrigan's writing and Damian Lewis's extraordinary performance. A lesser actor would not have been able to handle such a complex role and could have messed it up but Lewis nails it to the core. This is among his best works. Many have complained about the other performances saying that there was something off about the actors but that was the point because it's about how the title character sees them. Abigail Breslin delivers a sincere performance and Amy Ryan is good too.
'Keane' is an engaging, atmospheric and cerebral look into a shattered mind. Kerrigan has made a fascinating film.
But, 'Keane' is a character-driven piece and credit must go to Kerrigan's writing and Damian Lewis's extraordinary performance. A lesser actor would not have been able to handle such a complex role and could have messed it up but Lewis nails it to the core. This is among his best works. Many have complained about the other performances saying that there was something off about the actors but that was the point because it's about how the title character sees them. Abigail Breslin delivers a sincere performance and Amy Ryan is good too.
'Keane' is an engaging, atmospheric and cerebral look into a shattered mind. Kerrigan has made a fascinating film.
No Child's Play Here! Sad Story!
meeza23 April 2006
I had to raise my "Keane" awareness when I heard numerous critics were flabbergasted by the gripping independent film "Keane". Writer-Director Lodge Kerrigan's film is a risqué narrative on the ruinous effects of child abduction on a parent. The film follows protagonist William Keane on a quasi-delusional journey of desperately searching for his lost daughter whom was abducted a year ago. Keane continuously demonstrates his maniac fixation by a constant self-mumbling and a degrading drug addiction. Halfway through the film, Keane befriends Lynn and Kira, a mother and young daughter, at a city hotel. Keane especially bonds with young Kira and uses her as a pawn to retrace his mental steps on the erroneous downfall of why he lost his daughter. I was dumbfounded by Damian Lewis' intrepid performance as Keane. It was Kerrigan's directorial efforts which I found to be too overbearing on a touchy subject. However, his scribe was commendable especially in his verbal interactions with the mother Lynn. "Keane" was not the "keane", I mean king, of independent films this year. I must also alert you that its melancholic subject matter is not for everyone. However, I do marginally recommend for moviegoers to find "Keane". *** Average
A tour-de-force
biatchiness30 October 2005
I finally got to see this film last night at LFF in London, and it has been more than worth the wait.
The moments between relative lucidity and mental anguish of William Keane are forcefully explored and successfully displayed by the joint work of Lodge Kerrigan's in-yer-face directing coupled with Damian Lewis' profoundly poignant interpretation of a man clinging precariously on the edge of some kind of sanity and not always succeeding as he knows he should.
I have never encountered such a long period of total and absolute quiet at the end of the film as I did at the end of Keane: the collective breath-holding was incredible.
Chilling, yet strangely warm, this film left me with more questions than answers and an empathy towards the character and the subject of mental illness as a whole than I have ever experienced. It simply has never been something I have concerned myself with. If this is what Lodge Kerrigan set out to achieve, he has more than accomplished it to my mind.
An important film that is a tour-de-force for both Lodge Kerrigan's tight direction and Damian Lewis' craft as an actor.
Go see it if you can. Lobby your local cinema to show it if necessary, but see it.
The moments between relative lucidity and mental anguish of William Keane are forcefully explored and successfully displayed by the joint work of Lodge Kerrigan's in-yer-face directing coupled with Damian Lewis' profoundly poignant interpretation of a man clinging precariously on the edge of some kind of sanity and not always succeeding as he knows he should.
I have never encountered such a long period of total and absolute quiet at the end of the film as I did at the end of Keane: the collective breath-holding was incredible.
Chilling, yet strangely warm, this film left me with more questions than answers and an empathy towards the character and the subject of mental illness as a whole than I have ever experienced. It simply has never been something I have concerned myself with. If this is what Lodge Kerrigan set out to achieve, he has more than accomplished it to my mind.
An important film that is a tour-de-force for both Lodge Kerrigan's tight direction and Damian Lewis' craft as an actor.
Go see it if you can. Lobby your local cinema to show it if necessary, but see it.
Not Even Close
JCBar13 March 2006
I like Damian Lewis. I like street dramas. I like little children who are trusting and don't get hurt by their trust. I have empathy for 'lost' souls on the streets. I'm not entirely unfeeling.
But 'Keane' is a bore. It did nothing towards making me understand the title character's predicament, how he got there, if his story was true, or if he even had a story. I only know he was getting a government check, lived (for about a week and ½) in some motel, and was delusional.
Damian Lewis can act well enough, and doesn't need me to tell him this performance was competent enough. But he didn't make Keane sympathetic, interesting, nor worthy of 94 minutes of closeups. I'm in the minority on this I can see, but this is an independent film that gives independent films the reputation of 'independent' films as in ' for an independent film it wasn't bad'. Only in this case it wasn't even close to being 'not bad'.
But 'Keane' is a bore. It did nothing towards making me understand the title character's predicament, how he got there, if his story was true, or if he even had a story. I only know he was getting a government check, lived (for about a week and ½) in some motel, and was delusional.
Damian Lewis can act well enough, and doesn't need me to tell him this performance was competent enough. But he didn't make Keane sympathetic, interesting, nor worthy of 94 minutes of closeups. I'm in the minority on this I can see, but this is an independent film that gives independent films the reputation of 'independent' films as in ' for an independent film it wasn't bad'. Only in this case it wasn't even close to being 'not bad'.
Keane is an amazingly wonderful film experience that I will never, ever forget.
amfr415 July 2005
Warning: Spoilers
I saw this film at the Atlanta Film Festival (June 12, 2005). When the final frame of this film went to black, my instant reaction was my lips mouthing the word "Wow" -- and I mean that in the absolute best of all possible connotations. I have never had a film reach me like this before -- in this way and so deeply. Some of the reviews have talked about how this film reaches viewers on a visceral level. Very, very true. It goes straight to the heart, straight to the soul, straight to the core of your being. It soars straight passed that part of us that analyzes and articulates. Some articles about the film have suggested that audiences might feel drained or exhausted from watching it. I didn't leave the film exhausted or drained. Mesmerized is probably a better description of how I felt. I was completely absorbed in the film from the first frame through the final one. Lodge Kerrigan has created a truly exceptional film, and Damian Lewis delivers a truly outstanding performance in the title role. If anyone ever seeks an example of an empirically perfect match of actor, role and story, this is it. Keane is an amazingly wonderful film experience that I will never, ever forget. I am immensely grateful to count myself among those who have had the fortune to see this film. If you have the chance to see Keane, see it.
Subways, Buses, McDonald's, No-Star Hotels & Nutty Thou
mcdougaller2 August 2007
You could roll in a field of poison ivy and possibly have more fun than you will seeing this picture. Or you might try taking your video cam on a city stroll and pairing up with somebody who's agitated and talking to himself. This should give you a fair idea of "Keane" in a NUTshell. Damian Lewis, the star, does a creditable job portraying a churning, distracted mind; he'd be admitted to any psych ward in record time. But what I rent films for, ordinarily, is satisfaction and entertainment, so this did not serve my particular purpose. If you enjoy watching a guy rocking with what may be tardive dyskinesia and trying to drown out auditory hallucinations with loud music, this will be your cuppa. I would like to see this rather fine actor in something more appealing, as someone other than the heavy or a person of questionable mental or moral faculties.
Fantastic!!!!
swansonchick2-111 July 2005
I saw Keane at the 42nd annual New York Film Festival and was quite pleasantly surprised. I'm really not an indy film buff, well, I wasn't until this trip into the city. I was absolutely captivated and completely engrossed in this film. This is one of those films that keeps you on the edge of your seat and easily wraps you into the story. You really feel like your are with William Keane, you can feel what he's thinking. Then the story will take an unexpected turn...see, I told you it keeps you on the edge of your seat. This film is definitely thought provoking and sensitive to all facets of the human being. It's one of those films that you can see repeatedly and get something new from it each time. I think the only thing I don't like about it is that I can't see it again easily or purchase it on DVD. I would LOVE to have this film in my personal movie collection.
Very moving!
milou89426 July 2005
I saw this movie last year at The Toronto International Filmfestival. Unfortunately in Europe we don't get to see many Indy-movies, but this was a rare opportunity for me to see an excellent one. It's the kind of movie that leaves a lump in your throat after wards! I was constantly wondering if this child that he lost at the bus-terminal was real or just a fragment of his imagination. Also when he takes care of another child while it's mother is gone for a few days, you start wondering if Keane is not going to hurt or kidnap this child! Most of the movie you really feel for this guy. Especially because the camera is so close on him all the time. It feels as if you're actually following him wherever he goes.
This movie looks very real; no special effects no beautiful make-up or costumes. The acting is what acting is all about; you don't see the actor but you see the character! It sometimes feels like your looking at a documentary. Real Oscar stuff! Keane is the kind of movie that touches you, even long after you have left the theater!
This movie looks very real; no special effects no beautiful make-up or costumes. The acting is what acting is all about; you don't see the actor but you see the character! It sometimes feels like your looking at a documentary. Real Oscar stuff! Keane is the kind of movie that touches you, even long after you have left the theater!
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