Knox Goes Away (#526)

Hollywood, in its infinite wisdom, released five new films this weekend.  I plan to see three more and don’t have high hopes for enjoyment.  But, to my surprise,  I thought the first one was quite good and unusual.  For one, it starred and was directed by an actor I never really liked—Michael Keaton.  I apologize to him; he did an excellent job in both roles. And though the film was shot in color, the colors were so muted that it mostly appeared as though it was shot in black and white. KNOX GOES AWAY is a story about John Knox, a contract killer who is told by a specialist that he is suffering from a type of fast moving dementia and that his life expectancy can be measured in weeks and not many of them.  From then on, he explains his actions by saying he is going away.  Thus, as he goes about his remaining days, he experiences memory losses and other related happenings.  His son, from whom he’s been estranged for many years, unexpectedly arrives at his home in deep trouble.  He has stabbed and brutally murdered a 32 year-old man who seduced and made pregnant his sixteen year old daughter whom Knox had never seen.  With his incredible skills but fast moving disability, Knox devises a bizarre plan designed to clear his son of the murder.  Along the way, we encounter in a minor role his ex-wife, played by an unrecognizable Marcia Gay Harden, who thankfully took a break from her embarrassing role of spastic mother-lawyer in the TV series So Help Me Todd.  Also in a minor but important role is Al Pacino, another criminal and best friend, who assists him in his plan.  Two detectives are investigating a couple of murders including his son’s victim, and they are very good in their roles.  Critics were not as enthusiastic as I and only 54% gave it a thumbs up, along with 80% of audiences.