The current SASSAward winners for Keanu Reeves as of this date are:
Out of the Gate – Youngblood
Drama – Street Kings
Comfort Food – John Wick Chapter 4
Overall – John Wick Chapter 4
…I disagree with three out of four
But I also think that the voting for Mr. Reeves is incredibly skewed toward the John Wick franchise and those fans are big voters.
The votes for Out of the Gate are split between:
Youngblood – 44%
John Wick Chapter 4 – 40%
River’s Edge – 8%
The Matrix Resurrections – 4%
John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum – 4%
Disagree.
Only two of these are from the early part of his career and therefore would reasonably be considered a first big break. I think the excitement and fandom for the JW franchise got the better of their voting decisions and caused a skew away from deciding the first big movie role and what is an all-time favorite.
If I examine the legitimate contenders here, River’s Edge and Youngblood, I personally voted for River’s Edge. Even though Youngblood came out earlier, Mr. Reeves only had a small almost cameo role while in River’s Edge he has a full part in the film. Out of the Gate winners should be the first role the actor/actress/director got that showcased their talent and gave us the first hint of what was to come. While sometimes a cameo can do this, it often requires a larger part to get a sense of what the person has to offer.
The votes for Drama are split between:
Street Kings – 45%
The Lake House – 18%
Destination Wedding – 14%
To The Bone – 5%
47 Ronin – 5%
The Day the Earth Stood Still – 5%
The Devil’s Advocate – 5%
Agree.
I saw Street Kings when it first came out and still remember thinking, I had never seen Mr. Reeves in a serious role and couldn’t believe how good he was. There were no “whoa”’s, no “dude”’s, no “totally”’s. He seemed like a completely different person than any of the other characters he had ever shown us. I wish we could see more of this.
The votes for Comfort Food are split between:
John Wick Chapter 4 – 22%
Point Break – 19%
The Lake House – 15%
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure – 11%
The Replacements – 7%
Bill and Ted Face the Music – 4%
Between Two Ferns The Movie – 4%
John Wick Chapter 2 – 2%
A Walk in the Clouds – 4%
Speed – 4%
Disagree
Again, love the John Wick franchise, but this is not a feel-good movie. The Comfort Food category should make you feel good like a soft couch, warm soup, mashed potatoes…. Blood, guns, killing, and revenge are not exactly what this category is about. Same with Point Break. Love it, but not for Comfort Food.
My pick is Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure. Sweet, wholesome, hilarious, classic, with a happy ending. All my requirements for what a movie that provides comfort should be about.
The votes for Overall best performance of his career are:
Shocker – John Wick Chapter 4 – 56%
Keanu Reeves Pop Messiah – 4%
Matrix Resurrections – 4%
John Wick – 3%
John Wick Chapter 3 Parabellum – 2%
The Lake House – 2%
Constantine – 2%
1% votes for: DC League of Super-Pets; Bill and Ted Face the Music; The Thanksgiving Play; Toy Story 4; Siberia; Replicas; Destination Wedding; John Wick Chapter 2; 47 Ronin; Street Kings; Something’s Gotta Give; The Matrix; The Gift; Devil’s Advocate; A Walk in the Clouds; Speed; Point Break; Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure; Brzrkr; Outcome.
Disagree.
I think this shows the challenge with picking just one best of career movie for Mr. Reeves. In the right role, no one is better. Goofy – he wins. Badass – he wins. Want him as your boyfriend – he wins. But if I must pick the best he has ever been, a gun shooting killer is not my pick. I went with Constantine. Reluctant, resolved, clear on right and wrong, plus goofy, badass, and want him to be your boyfriend all rolled up into one.
There are some honorable mentions that weren’t picked at all for any category that I think should be mentioned.
My Own Private Idaho. How was this missed entirely. One of the great movies of the 1990’s and certainly one of his best performances.
Parenthood. No better delinquent boyfriend around.
The Day the Earth Stood Still. Alien to almost human is a perfect guide for all of us.
Agree? Disagree? What is your vote?