KEANE
**** out of *****
Reviewed by Tobias

Screening in the 2006 New Zealand International Film Festival
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Genres
Drama
Thriller

2004
Written and directed by
Lodge Kerrigan
Cast
Damian Lewis .... William Keane
Abigail Breslin .... Kira Bedik
Amy Ryan .... Lynn Bedik

There is no doubt that dealing with the loss of a child is an agonising ordeal. William Keane is still extremely tormented six months on from the abduction of his six year old daughter Sophie. Keane begins with William (Damian Lewis – Dreamcatcher, Band of Brothers) at the Port Authority bus terminal, the scene of the abduction, frantically approaching busy commuters and pleading with them to help him find his daughter and when he is not spending his days wandering the station or places the kidnapper could have gone, he abuses himself with drugs and heavy drinking in the evenings.  Keane soon meets Lynn (Amy Ryan) and her 7 year old daughter Kira (Abigail Breslin – Signs) and the two make a heart-warming connection because of Kira missing her father and Keane longing for his daughter.

It all sounds like a wonderful recipe for a 'happily-ever-after' story but in reality it is a harrowing tale focusing on loss and how we cope with such tragedies, and although we are not directly told, Keane's erratic behaviour infers a mental illness that makes this even more challenging.  His occasional outbursts of shouting at people who he believes are staring at him gives strong clues to this, along with his cashing of the sickness benefit.  It is also never proven that there exists a Sophie or the purported abduction of his daughter even happened – could this merely be something he has created intentionally or even subconsciously for himself?  Then after posing such a potentially significant question, you would have to ask yourself – does that change anything?

In terms of direction and cinematography, we as the viewers are following Keane from his point of view using camera close-ups. The effect from this method is that we understand his state of mind - when the camera is zoomed up alongside him we experience the same unsettled feelings along with unsteady tracking to reflect his inner turmoil.  This contrasts well when Keane is in a more stable state of mind and the camera is zoomed out to show him in his surrounding environment, even accepting it.

The most important thing to be prepared for in Keane is that you are alongside him throughout moments that will at times leave you apprehensive but at the same time you feel a genuine sympathy towards him.  Visceral feelings of fear from what could develop from Keane's hysteria and sympathy for the sadness of a daughter snatched away from him and well after Keane ends, there are ambiguities that open themselves to interpretation.  What does Keane see in Kira? His daughter Sophie or a young girl in need of a fatherly figure?

There is no sense in me denying that I was lured to watch Keane initially based on the fact that it starred British thespian Damian Lewis. Ever since his turn in Band of Brothers I have been compelled to keep an eye out for the actor and his portrayal of Keane, a father racked by grief and guilt, is brilliant and feels truthful and natural for this character. Lewis is well supported by the acting of Abigail Breslin playing the young Kira whom he befriends and her mother Lynn (Amy Ryan). But while their performances are excellent, it is the disturbed Keane himself who sets the scene.

While it may have not been an aim of the film, I found parts of Keane almost unbearable to watch due to the building apprehension over what comes next (as mentioned earlier).  Of course, your mileage may vary but in those moments I felt like leaving to grab a drink. However, there is always hope for Keane to overcome his grief and personal conflict and it is this alone that makes the story compelling. Lodge Kerrigan, director and writer of Keane, is no stranger to the darker reality themes as one of his previous films, Clean, Shaven, focuses on a young Schizophrenic man trying to get his daughter back and as a result many parallels can be drawn between these two films. When I sat down to write this review (and accidental dissection) of Keane I was prepared to say at least 3½ stars but after realising the profound effect it has had on me to provoke discussion, I am struck with a 4 star film.

This film will screen in Wellington on July 27th at 1:45pm and July 31st at 8:30pm at the Paramount Theatre. Refer to the Film Fest homepage for more information.

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