Keane

8 out of 10

Wow. This was... very difficult viewing. Stick with it through the first half hour of misery, however, and you’ll be rewarded. Perhaps not with any happiness — it’s pretty unrelenting in its gloom — but with a film that elicits a strong emotional response. Given the nature of those emotions, however, I feel compelled to point out that you should not watch this if you’re suffering from any kind of depression. Seriously; this film makes a great case for a “mental stability advisory” to go alongside the regular BBFC rating.

As for the story itself, that’s laid bare in the first 20 seconds. It’s about a man whose 6-year old daughter was abducted while his back was turned, struggling to cope many months later. No; not struggling to cope; quite simply not coping. As I say, this is made crystal clear right at the start, but it’s only reinforced by the first half hour or so. Thereafter, things start to get a little... interesting. But that’s enough for you to know. I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether you want to find out where the story goes. :)

Performance-wise, the cast list is a short one, but special mention must go to Damian Lewis, playing the eponymous William Keane. He’s in every single scene and the film’s quality is carried squarely on his and director Lodge Kerrigan’s shoulders. Indeed, those behind the camera deserve just as much credit for the film’s intensity as its actors. Nearly all shots are very much in your face — or rather Lewis’s face — and the complete absence of a musical score just heightens the sense of paranoia. All in all, it’s pretty damn remarkable; just not all that enjoyable!