Michael Keaton tests his directorial ability after a decade with 'Knox Goes Away'

Michael Keaton is known for his charismatic acting performances but not so for his emotional nuances. He was mainly known for his breakthrough performance as Batman in 1989 and has never looked back since then. But he was not so well known for directing. 

Keaton first dipped his toes in the directorial field in 2009 with The Merry Gentlemen, a box office failure. Once again, he tries his luck as a director with Knox Goes Away, including him playing the main protagonist, John Knox.

In this film, John Knox is a hitman struggling with a terminal diagnosis of a rare form of dementia. Keaton's performance as Knox, a character almost losing his grip on reality, brings poignancy to this gritty thriller, making it more than just a typical hitman story.

Screenwriter Gregory Poirier creates a mystery around Knox, whose days are numbered as the disease ravages his mind. Despite his descent into dementia, Knox is portrayed as a hitman with a mix of strong resolve and vulnerability. As he struggles with the disease, he embarks on a final mission to save his estranged son Miles (James Marsden), who has committed a murder and turned to his father for help.

The film's supporting cast, including Joanna Kulig as Knox's confidante and Suzy Nakamura as a determined police detective, adds depth to the narrative and contrasts with Knox's complex character. As Knox's old friend Xavier, Al Pacino brings eccentricity to the film, creating a dynamic tension that moves the story forward. Keaton's directing gives Knox Goes Away a feeling of urgency as the hitman races against time to outsmart his adversaries and his deteriorating psyche. 

The film's premise may seem gimmicky at first. But Keaton and Poirier skillfully avoid clichés, delivering an intense and captivating thriller that explores themes of mortality, redemption, and family bonds. As Knox navigates his troubled past and present, audiences are drawn into a world where everything is different than it seems, and the line between hero and villain blurs.

Knox Goes Away shows Michael Keaton's ability to both perform and direct, as well as his knack for bringing intricate characters to life. As Knox's journey climaxes, audiences are left pondering the nature of identity, memory, and the legacy we leave behind.

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