Knox Goes Away (2024)

Michael Keaton's film "Knox Goes Away" is a modern film noir of a hitman losing his mind to a disease while finishing one last job.  To say it is a exceptional film would be an understatement.  The film is Keatons's second directorial debut, and it's a stunning film noir of a hitman losing his battle with dementia.   The film also stars Marsha Gay Harden, and Al Pacino in two smaller roles that shine in this film.  It just opened this Friday and I rushed to see it because Keaton is such a fine actor.  But what he is too is a better director.  The performances in the film are top notch and one that really show their talent.  Keaton himself is fabulous as well.  His expressive face say's all, and Keaton lets the performers do their thing without hinderance.  The acting flows naturally,  and you can tell Keaton knows how to get good performances from his actors.  Being an actor helps and in this film we see that less is more.  The script is precise, and well plotted out.  The story takes place over 7 weeks, and moves along pretty rapidly.

I'd be remiss in not pointing out the other great performances by James Marsden as the long estranged son, and Joanna Kulig as Keaton's prostitute girl-friend.  Other performances which are of note is Suzy Nakamura, and John Hoogenakker as her partner.  Their repertoire between each other is comic and real.  I can only summarize this is because Keaton is directing them and. he knows how good dialogue sounds.  Yet I believe it is Gregory Poirier's writing that makes this film what it is.  There is not a dishonest word in this film, and what I mean is that it feels all too real.  "Knox Goes Away" is a film steeped in a lot of real dialogue, and it feels authentic.  That is no accident.  Marshak Adams is the cinematographer and it's a perfect neo-noir.  His work in the film "Gods & Monsters" made him a shoe in for this film.  But it is his film "El Camino: A Breaking Bad movie" that shows his true talent in the neo-noir genre.

This movie is a wonderful piece of cinema, and one that confounds me in its distribution.  I hope more people get to see this film, and see it's stellar performances.  It feels as though it was just quickly dumped for theatrical distribution and only us cinema lovers know of it's existence.  With such performances from a stellar cast I would think that this would be advertised more.  After all the whole film is perfect.  It's not a razzle dazzle action film, but it's a fabulous movie that deserves more attention & love.

Catch it if you can in the theaters, and look out for it on the streaming circuit.  "Knox goes Away" deserves some love, and more attention then it deserves.   

I realize it's a film that deals with some harsh realities such as dementia, and a dysfunctional family, but it works and the film has a satisfying resolution.  If you want to see good cinema take a look at the film.  The performances in it are worth the price of admission, and Keaton's directing is so good.  I hope he does more in the future.