Schizophrenia Daily News Blog

New Movie: "Keane": Lighting the dark corners of schizophrenia

There is a new drama/action movie out that deals with schizophrenia, and the title of the movie is "Keane". We haven't seen the movie, but the reviews are good in all the commentary we've seen. This probably isn't a movie for people who have schizophrenia, or family members closely involved, however it is perhaps a good movie for people who just want to learn more - including students and the general public.

The Keane DVD is listed on Amazon.com, but not yet available to purchase.

You can watch the Keane trailer (short preview) and learn more about the movie, by the here: Keane Preview

Ebert and Roeper gave a good review (two thumbs up) of the Keane movie here - click on Keane link to listen.

The show's playing dates are as follows:

On Screen
Durham, NC: Carolina Theatre - Durham
Raleigh, NC: Colony Twin
Carlisle, PA: Carlisle Theatre
Olympia, WA: Olympia Film SocietyCapitol Theatre
Seattle, WA: Varsity Theatre

Opening
1/13/2006 - Madison, WI: Orpheum Theatre Project
1/20/2006 Rochester, NY: Dryden Theatre
3/3/2006 - Milwaukee, WI: Union Theatre

The Seattle Times rates the movie at 4 Stars, and states:

"Few movies probe as deeply into the souls of the mentally damaged as Lodge Kerrigan's heartbreaking new thriller, "Keane." Fewer still start right off by emphasizing the more troubling aspects of derangement. Kerrigan all but dares you to keep watching his central character during the early scenes.

William Keane is introduced as a belligerent schizophrenic, the kind of out-of-control person you'd instinctively avoid on the street. Brilliantly played by Damian Lewis, he beats up strangers, babbles incoherently about a lost child, snorts coke, indulges in violent and anonymous sex, and screams at a bartender who refuses to turn up the volume on the Four Tops' "I Can't Help Myself."

This turns out to be Keane's theme song, his cry for help, and it's at this point that the film begins to reveal a gentler, less aggressive, more complicated side to his nature. On his best behavior for once, he helps out a wary, destitute woman (Amy Ryan) and her young daughter (Abigail Breslin), who may or may not have been abandoned."

The New York Times says:

In "Keane," Mr. Kerrigan both gives us a life at the edge of the abyss and pulls off an extremely deft narrative sleight of hand. It doesn't take long to realize that Keane, who's been keeping up a running conversation with himself while raging through the terminal, may be suffering from something other than worry.

Other reviewers have said:

"Keane is an amazingly wonderful film experience that I will never, ever forget. I saw this film at the Atlanta Film Festival (June 12, 2005). When the final frame of this film went to black, my instant reaction was my lips mouthing the word "Wow" -- and I mean that in the absolute best of all possible connotations. I have never had a film reach me like this before -- in this way and so deeply. Some of the reviews have talked about how this film reaches viewers on a visceral level. Very, very true. It goes straight to the heart, straight to the soul, straight to the core of your being. It soars straight passed that part of us that analyzes and articulates. Some articles about the film have suggested that audiences might feel drained or exhausted from watching it. I didn't leave the film exhausted or drained. Mesmerized is probably a better description of how I felt. I was completely absorbed in the film from the first frame through the final one. Lodge Kerrigan has created a truly exceptional film, and Damian Lewis delivers a truly outstanding performance in the title role. If anyone ever seeks an example of an empirically perfect match of actor, role and story, this is it. Keane is an amazingly wonderful film experience that I will never, ever forget. I am immensely grateful to count myself among those who have had the fortune to see this film. If you have the chance to see Keane, see it. "

More Information:

Keane - the Internet Movie Database information