Surveying Keanu Reeves More Interesting Performances
Keanu Reaves is no stranger to the crime genre! Films like Point Break and Street Kings come to mind, but we think he got his start officially in the TV crime drama, Night Heat. In Henry’s Crime, which is out on Blu-ray and DVD today, Reeves stars as Henry Torne, a wrongly accused man who winds up behind bars for a bank robbery he didn’t commit. After befriending a charismatic lifer (James Caan) in prison, Henry finds his purpose — having done the time, he decides he may as well do the crime. But his outlandish plan to rob the very same bank spins wildly out of control, as he finds himself performing in a stage play and falling in love with the production’s seductive leading lady (Vera Farmiga).
To celebrate the release of Henry’s Crime, our pals at ThinkJam put together a list of our favorite law-breaking and abiding Keanu films. We know they skipped the obvious like Bill & Ted and The Matrix Trilogy but did they miss anything?
It all started with, “There’s a bomb on the bus!” This one really put Keanu Reeves on the blockbuster map. With its non-stop high action sequences, and bombs on the bus, train, Sandra Bullock, this movie is an action flick-junkie dream.
Street Kings – 2008
In this fast-paced action-crime film, Keanu portrays a disillusioned LAPD detective haunted by the death of his wife. We love it when he breaks rules and butts heads.
Chain Reaction – 1996
How progressive. This film about alternative energy delves deep into a sociopolitical dialogue that involves the FBI, CIA and basically Big Brother chasing our beloved scientists down!
Point Break – 1991
Classic. This box office success melded surfing with bank robbery, making it by far one of Keanu’s most bodacious films to date. And orphan surfer girl Lori Petty just sweetens the deal.
Working as a toll collector, Henry gets swept up in a crime he didn’t mean to commit. Now that he’s done the time, he had a lot of time to think about reaping the rewards if he had
The Watcher – 2000
Mr. Reeves plays David aka your worst nightmare if you’re a woman. Talk about a misleading first date. Once you feel like you can trust a man, he’s meticulous about the way he kills you.
Constantine – 2005
Supernaturally tubular Keanu solves mythical crimes in this wild and epic film that plunges viewers into the afterlife and spiritual worlds beyond this realm.
Well you missed The Gift, where Keanu plays a wifebeater who is accused of murder. Or how about The Devil’s Advocate, where Keanu plays a lawyer ?
Another vote for Devil’s Advocate. I actually really, really like that film. Keanu’s not bad in it, Al Pacino chews scenery like it’s on sale, and Charlize Theron goes incredibly batsh*t (it’s amazing to watch her, frankly).
Do you mind if I ask you a personal question…?
Can you always be my fof?
No mention of “My Own Private Idaho?” Granted, the film was really more centered on River Phoenix, but Keanu showed he was (at one time, at least) willing to take a real cinematic risk and play a character that wasn’t entirely likeable (not to give anything away, but his character in the film becomes a Grade-A d-bag by the end of the movie).