Keane (2004)

Director:

Lodge Kerrigan

Writer:

Lodge Kerrigan (writer)

Release Date:

21 September 2005 (France)

Genre:

Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

A man in his early 30s (Keane) struggles with the supposed loss of his daughter from port authority bus terminal in New York...

Plot Keywords:

Port Authority Bus Terminal | Schizophrenia | Bus | Breaking And Entering | Missing Child

Awards:

2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Damian Lewis	...	William Keane
Abigail Breslin	...	Kira Bedik
Amy Ryan	...	Lynn Bedik
Liza Colón-Zayas	...	1st Ticket Agent
John Tormey	...	2nd Ticket Agent
Brenda Denmark	...	Commuter
Ed Wheeler	...	1st Bus Driver / Ticket Taker
Christopher Evan Welch	...	Motel Clerk
Yvette Mercedes	...	Woman in Department Store
Chris Bauer	...	Bartender
Lev Gorn	...	Drug Dealer
Frank Wood	...	Assaulted Commuter
Alexander Robert Scott	...	1st Cab Driver
Phil McGlaston	...	2nd Cab Driver
Tina Holmes	...	Michelle

Also Known As:

Untitled Lodge Kerrigan Project (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for a scene of strong sexuality, drug use and language.

Runtime:

USA:100 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Australia:MA | Netherlands:12 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Canary Films

Trivia:

Shot in 32 days for less than $1 million.

Quotes:

Kira Bedik: Are you going to be my mommy's new boyfriend?

Movie Connections:

Featured in 2006 Independent Spirit Awards (2006) (TV)

Profound and Searing Story of A Man Struggling with Insanity

"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.