Michael Keaton is Heartbreaking in Knox Goes Away

Michael Keaton returns to double duty, directing and acting in this crime drama about a hitman who is diagnosed with a fast-moving form of dementia, with one last task to take care of before he can fade away.

After a job goes horribly wrong, John Knox (Michael Keaton) resigns himself to the knowledge that his contract killing days are over and starts gathering his assets to cash out. One night, though, his estranged son, Miles (James Marsden), shows up at his door. Covered in blood and barely able to speak, he begs his father for help covering up a violent crime. Knox sees only one way out, developing a tricky scheme with multiple steps that require precise execution. He enlists the confidence of his friend Xavier (Al Pacino) to keep him on track and begins a race against the clock — and his quickly deteriorating condition — as the police begin to close in with their investigation.

Keaton not only directs this smart script by Gregory Poirier as a forlorn noir, but adds to his list of memorable performances, portraying Knox’s slow decline from the cold and calculating man who always has a plan, to the lost and confused father looking to make amends. Knox Goes Away makes its mark as a fresh entry into the genre, thanks to the compelling conceit of a man who’s not so eager to hold on to the memories of the things he’s done.

The action sequences are bloody bananas and the acting from every cast member is exceptional.  One of the most poignant moments in the film revolve around a scene between Knox and his ex-wife (Marcia Gay Harden).  It’s not so much what is stated in the dialogue with this scene as much as what is left unspoken that will pierce every heart witnessing this interaction.  Marsden and Suzy Nakamura, who audiences are familiar with through their command of comedy in a variety of different project, tap into their dramatic prowess only enhancing Keaton’s performance.

The last image of Knox staring unaware of who he has been is absolutely heartbreaking and serves as a reminder of just how short life is.  We should savor every second as if it were our last waking moment never taking it or our loved ones for granted.