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- Keanu Reeves Makes for an Interesting Serial Killer
- Universal Pictures Worked Out a Deal With Keanu Reeves
As a cinephile with over three decades of movie-watching under my belt, I must say that “The Watcher” is not just another forgettable thriller in Keanu Reeves’ extensive filmography. This film offers a unique twist to his repertoire, casting him against type as a chilling serial killer.
A serial killer thriller and Keanu Reeves might seem like an odd match, but it makes for an intriguing experience with The Watcher, released in 2000, and apparently, a film that Reeves might want audiences to forget. His reasons may have more to do with a story about being tricked into making the film rather than his work in it, but once you cut through some of the controversy, The Watcher is a bit better than its reputation, which also includes a Razzie Award nomination for Reeves.
Under the direction of Joe Charbanic, from a script penned by David Elliot and Clay Ayers, the film titled The Watcher chronicles the story of FBI Special Agent Joel Campbell (played by James Spader). Haunted by guilt following his failure to save a young girl from a notorious serial killer, David Allen Griffin (Reeves), he resigns from his position and relocates to Chicago. Despite his move, Campbell continues to grapple with debilitating migraines caused by his troubled past. His sole refuge is his therapy sessions with Dr. Polly Beilman (Marisa Tomei), as he has withdrawn so deeply from society that he scarcely has a social life at all.
One evening, a woman is brutally killed within his apartment complex. Initially, this incident appears to pass him by unnoticed. However, upon discovering that he had received a photograph of the victim three days prior to her murder, he starts to suspect that the notorious serial killer he had pursued earlier might have relocated to Chicago.
Keanu Reeves Makes for an Interesting Serial Killer
In Hollywood circles, Keanu Reeves is well-known for his friendly and approachable nature. This kindness, combined with an impressive body of work, often leads people to overlook less-than-stellar performances from him. It’s important to mention that Reeves typically plays to his strengths, as demonstrated in some of his most successful roles, such as “Point Break,” “Speed,” the “Matrix” series, and the “John Wick” franchise. Critics often argue that he was miscast as a methodical serial killer in “The Watcher,” but Reeves’ deadpan acting style gives the character, David Allen Griffin, an eerie intensity beyond what should be possible.
This character isn’t like Hannibal Lecter or John Doe from Se7en, who are clearly villainous. Instead, Reeves plays a character that seems harmless until it’s too late. He is typically dressed in black with long dark hair, reminiscent of John Wick rather than Jack Traven from Speed. Initially, some might dismiss his portrayal as a misstep. However, looking back on the film years later, his performance deserves a second look and could be seen as misunderstood.
As a film enthusiast, I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed by the screenplay of the movie, particularly in its treatment of Keanu Reeves’ character. The development of David Allen Griffin felt lacking, overshadowed by the rich character arc of Joel Campbell, portrayed brilliantly by Spader.
The film’s appeal primarily stems from its 2000s aesthetic, as it skillfully combines a gloomy color scheme with hard rock tunes from that era, along with talented actors who breathe life into their roles and compensate for any potential shortcomings in the script. Spader, Tomei, and Reeves are all skilled performers, delivering convincing performances even when they seem to be walking on autopilot.
It seems that Keanu Reeves’ involvement in the film was inconsistent because he initially had reservations about joining the project. The film has a bit of Hollywood lore surrounding it – rumors suggest that the actor felt tricked into taking on the role. Interestingly, the director of the movie had previously directed several music videos for Reeves’ band Dogstar, leading to a friendship between them. When casting for The Watcher, Charbanic was determined to have Reeves play the part of the film’s serial killer, as he wanted to see him step out of his comfort zone. Despite initially not being keen on the project, Reeves eventually signed a contract after Charbanic had it forged, a move that Reeves has openly discussed in interviews.
Initially, I wasn’t captivated by the script, but a friend falsely signed my name on the contract. Unable to disprove this act and fearing legal action, I was compelled to participate in the movie production against my will.
In addition to falsifying his signature for the film, Keanu Reeves was also deeply disappointed because the role he initially perceived as merely a cameo was expanded significantly without commensurate pay. This meant that instead of earning the $1 million each received by Spader and Tomei, he was bound by the union’s minimum wage, receiving substantially less.
Universal Pictures Worked Out a Deal With Keanu Reeves
When Universal Pictures secured the rights for the movie, they found themselves with a leading actor who wasn’t keen on being part of it. To shield the film from unwanted attention, they struck a deal with Reeves, stipulating that he couldn’t disclose the details until 12 months following the film’s premiere. They also reduced his role in promoting the movie, although the film poster distinctly showcased his silhouette. Notably, Universal Pictures took steps to rectify things with Reeves, by asking the producers to enhance his profit share. Ultimately, Reeves received an extra $2 million, which put him ahead of his co-stars in terms of earnings.
A significant factor contributing to the intrigue of Reeves’ performance lies in the background events leading up to it. Unlike some actors who might seem unenthusiastic or going through the motions on screen, Reeves manages to infuse a sense of danger into a role that lacks depth. Whether or not viewers find his portrayal successful is subjective and may be influenced by their prior impressions of him, but viewed in isolation, it’s far from the disaster that many anticipate.
In the film “The Watcher,” critics found significant flaws, as it only managed a 11% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a general consensus that it failed to deliver thrills, suspense, or credibility due to Keanu Reeves’ atypical role. This casting choice proved problematic for the film, earning Reeves a Razzie Award nomination for Worst Supporting Actor, an award won by Barry Pepper for “Battlefield Earth.” It is worth mentioning that throughout his career, Reeves has been nominated for seven Razzie Awards, and “The Watcher” is one of the performances he can hold his head high about when compared to films like “Much Ado About Nothing,” “A Walk in the Clouds,” “Chain Reaction,” and “Johnny Mnemonic.” To put it mildly, “The Watcher,” along with “Hardball” and possibly “Sweet November,” can be considered less problematic than those aforementioned films.
The Watcher will not be going down in the grand pantheon of serial killer thrillers. It has its share of faults, but it’s not the dumpster fire anyone would want you to believe it is. If anything, it’s a unique and maybe forgotten moment in time when Reeves got to play a serial killer, which can be deemed as an intriguing experiment that the viewer should develop their own opinion on before listening to any of the film’s harsh reviews. The Watcher is available to rent on Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play.
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2024-11-18 06:03