He's the battered scapegoat for a plethora of bad jokes and pithy barbs of acting criticism, but I actually like Keanu Reeves. It has long been suspected that he's far smarter than usually assumed, as if you pay attention, his acting shows moments that are finely shaded and thoughtful. He may not be the most consistent actor on the planet, but the rampant criticism and Keanu-bashing has truly gotten out of hand.
Long ago, there was a period where I became fascinated with edgy thrillers, even gory violence, for the technical mastery required to pull it off. But while my tolerance was higher during that period, I can no longer handle a lot of violence and horror. Now that I'm staring middle age in the face, I apparently just don't have the stomach for the kind of images that cling to the subconscious and re-emerge as nightmares. So when I heard about this film adaptation of the highly respected gothic novel John Wick, I was intrigued by the plot, impressed by the cinematography, and was tempted by the beautiful production values so evident in the trailer. With the pending release of the sequel on February 17, I recently grabbed the opportunity to sit through the film, carefully reminding myself that I could turn it off if no connection took hold.
No chance. I was drawn in from the start, not only by the heartbreaking story and stunning film work, but the dialogue, the surprisingly complex characters... and yes, the action sequences, which had me riveted.
It's a study in extremes, to be sure, replete with the sparest dialogue, the most dramatic lighting, the most luxurious sets, noirest costumes, thuggiest henchmen, and the cutest dogs. (Spoiler alert: don't get too attached.) But almost everything has a flip side, as the most ruthless characters show much unexpected emotion and subtlety, and while those emotions may appear in explosive scenes, they are quietly expressed, making them more deeply and vividly felt.
The script, as mentioned above, keeps dialogue to a minimum, and thankfully avoids useless catchiness. There are no "Gotcha suckas!" moments, and catchphrases have a bit more style. Wick wouldn't stand for anything else.
There are subtle details interwoven throughout, from the costume details that show exceptional good taste to the coffee table books in Wick's home that suggest culture, artistic sensibility, and thoughtfulness. (And thank you for that, as I now know who Alvaro Siza is: beautiful architecture, well worth knowing.) The "business"-savvy doctor and concierge are well-drawn and stunningly believable. There are recurring elements such as the Boogeyman song and the use of the gold coins that help to create a world and drive the story forward with new familiarity. The film is a model of craftsmanship, and clearly the result of careful planning and a great deal of vision.
In the end, John Wick is a reminder that we cannot judge a film by its cover. While I had to set the side a bit of discomfort due to my own sensibilities at this time in my life, I wouldn't want to have missed this. It's an impressive piece of work.
