Directing for just the second time at 73*, Michael Keaton, who also stars, avoids any hint of sophomore slump assuming you can accept the film’s gimmick. (A big ask!) In fact, it’s a modest triumph. Keaton plays a retirement age contract killer with a bad case of galloping dementia and a mess of affairs to put in order before mental oblivion overtakes him. Sure enough, that's when estranged son James Marsden shows up needing help: he’s just murdered a guy. Yikes! Not that the victim didn’t deserve it, a serial teen rapist, including a grandkid Keaton’s never met. The 16-yr-old is scheduled to go with Dad for an abortion next week. Adding to these problems, Keaton’s latest hit left two extra people dead, and a crime scene loaded with clues. Yet, as director, Keaton is largely able to pull off this whopper by laying back & turning the knobs down as low as possible, and, as his character, writing up a seven-step plan to point police, mob, girlfriend, ex-wife Marcia Gay Harden and big boss Al Pacino (amusingly amused at himself) in the right direction so he can settle scores, distribute his considerable wealth, then drift into Never-Neverland at the expense of a State Criminal Institution. It shouldn’t work at all (either as a plan or as a script), yet you’re happy to go along with every twist & turn in Gregory Poirier original screenplay. Kind of like an early Coen Brothers film noir, but filtered thru the sensibility of a ‘50s Ealing Brit-Com. Satisfyingly witty rather than LOL funny, but very cleanly laid out, and with Keaton showing unexpected action chops as needed and nifty optical spasms to show his brain short-circuiting. If he hurries, Keaton may have the time & energy to go for directing gig #3.
DOUBLE-BILL: *Not seen here, Keaton’s first shot at directing was another hit man story, THE MERRY GENTLEMEN/’08. Thoughts? Our COMMENTS section awaits.
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