Don McKay (2009)

Don McKay, a high school janitor who leaves his hometown after a tragedy, returns 25 years later to rekindle a romance with his old flame, who is dying, but this homecoming brings McKay more than he bargained for.

Director:

Jake Goldberger

Writer:

Jake Goldberger

Stars:

Thomas Haden Church, Rachel Harker, Melissa Leo

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Thomas Haden Church	...	Don McKay
Rachel Harker	...	School Secretary
Stephen Benson	...	Principal Edwards
M. Emmet Walsh	...	Samuel
Melissa Leo	...	Marie (as Melissa Chessington Leo)
Elisabeth Shue	...	Sonny
Amanda George	...	Clerk (as Amanda Donaghey)
James Rebhorn	...	Dr. Lance Pryce
Bates Wilder	...	Officer Tierney
Keith David	...	Otis Kent
Melissa Rosal	...	Hostess
Meagan Hawkes	...	Colleen Simmons
Dossy Peabody	...	Cafeteria Worker
Robert Wahlberg	...	Alfred
Pruitt Taylor Vince	...	Mel

Storyline

Don McKay is living a very lowly life as a janitor. Then he receives a letter from his high school girlfriend, Sonny, who announces that she is dying and that she needs him to come back home. But when Don arrives back in his hometown, he finds Sonny's doctor has a crush on her and has no intention of letting Don back into her life, and the rest of the town remembers the tragedy that drove Don away in the first place and they have no intention of letting Don come back, at least not without paying some dues.

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Plot Keywords:

school janitor | old friend | corpse | axe | toilet | 

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Taglines:

Some secrets are better left buried.

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Genres:

Thriller | Drama | Mystery

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some violence

Details

Official Sites:

Don McKay

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 April 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Moment of Truth

Filming Locations:

Andover, Massachusetts, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Animus Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Jake Goldberger mentions in the DVD commentary that he had an extensive conversation with Sissy Spacek about her playing the role of Marie.

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Goofs

When the taxi comes to pick Don up at Sonny's house the last time, it's obviously a different (younger) driver behind the wheel. When it cuts to the interior of the cab in the next scene, it's old Samuel driving the cab.

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Connections

References Double Indemnity (1944)

User Reviews

Surreal, yet rather fascinating dark/comedy, film-noir.

(Credit IMDb) Don McKay, a high school janitor who leaves his hometown after a tragedy, returns 25 years later to rekindle a romance with his old flame, who is dying, but this homecoming brings McKay more than he bargained for.

Don McKay was a peculiar little movie but one I heavily enjoyed. I was wrapped up in its strange aura at the very beginning all the way until the very end when it knocked me on my ass with its twists. For starters let me just state, this movie will not be to everyone's taste. Some will be very much be put off by it, but if you're willing to groove to it like I did, you're certainly in for a wild ride. What really helped Don McKay are the fantastic performances, and the smart script that goes along with it. We know that Elisabeth Shue's character is as wacky as sin when we first encounter her character, but the filmmakers did a terrific job of keeping us in suspense. My only real complaint is the abrupt ending. I would have liked to seen the conclusion go a bit further.

Performances. Thomas Haden Church is magnificent as the lead. He's sympathetic, likable, and even carries a big sense of vulnerability to him. Without him in the movie, I really don't think it would have been as enjoyable as it was. Elisabeth Shue continues to age gracefully by looking beautiful as ever, and she shines in her role. Her kooky, yet likable show was a hoot to watch. Her chemistry with Church was also on the ball. M Emmet. Walsh is a great character actor and he's proved that, seemingly over decades now. I loved him as the mysterious Taxi-Driver. Melissa Leo is great in her role. We never know what to truly think of her, and I loved it. Keith David is good in his short role.

Bottom line. I didn't expect to enjoy this nearly as much as I did. Don McKay is full of neat surprises, and a film I would gladly see again if given the chance. Small suggestion, two straight watches may help increase your viewing pleasure to fully get it. Recommended

7 ½ /10