Constantine (2005)

Directed by Francis Lawrence. Starring Keanu Reeves; Rachel Weisz; Tilda Swinton. Cert: 15. Running Time: 115 Mins.

Another film where the source material is taken more as a jumping off point than the gospel. It’s another film that has had the die-hard fans of the original product gnashing their teeth. Hellblazer should have been left alone, filmed exactly like the book, they cry, and why did you pick Keanu if you were going to make John Constantine an American rather than an English man? they say. The Matrix sequels had already triggered a pretty major backlash against him and what ground he had gained with that first film was lost with some people. Of course he has always had his supporters too and the people who could get their head around the changes to the story couldn’t fail to be happy.
Now I’ll admit that when I heard that John was now an American I suffered a momentary twinge of comic-fan agony myself — John Constantine and his family playing a pretty major role in the New DC Comic Universe. Then I thought, well hey, I am one of the few people I know that liked the Matrix sequels, so let’s give this thing a go. And I’m glad I did.
It has some cracking special effects and one of the better, more interesting takes on depicting hell in modern film. It is not the abstract notion that they usually ram down your throat — it is located in and looks very much like the real world and it is a triumph.
The story is a pretty simple one and lacks a lot of the depth that the comic books have, but that is often the case.; here it does nothing to damage the story. Rachel Weisz is good in her double role, Keanu convinces, Tilda Swinton is amazing as Gabriel, and with Peter Stormare playing the devil, what more do you need?
This is one of those films that is going to become a cult phenomenon. Once people accept it for what it is and don’t keep comparing it to it’s comic-book brother the younger sibling will get the break it deserves. This is great — action-packed, full of ideas, and convincing. A must see.

Something’s Gotta Give (2003)

Directed by Nancy Meyers. Starring Jack Nicholson; Diane Keaton; Keanu Reeves; Amanda Peet. Cert: 12. Running Time: 123 Mins Approx.

With a comedy like this you know it’s fluff. You sit down and you know where it’s going pretty much straight off. So what’s the trick? To enjoy the ride; and with big hitters like Nicholson and Keaton playing ball it’s gonna be an entertaining game.

One of Nicholson’s many strengths as an older male actor is to not be afraid to play his age, and that is not something not many of them can say. He convinces. The story convinces. He’s Jack, but then he always is. It’ just when he does it right you forget. And each event seems to grow organically, not to be stage-managed to get you somewhere, which is where these kind of things can fall down.

Keanu’s a tad wooden but he has an underwritten part to fill so what can be expected?

It has charm. It makes you smile. And there are enough nice touches to make this a pleasure to watch. Not as good ‘As Good As It Gets’ or ‘About Schmidt’ but better than the average rom-com.

Keaton is sexier than Peet. Nicholson is more charming than Reeves. The older generation wins a total smackdown in this battle. A great film.