Keith. (I got a thing for great independent film)
“The new film Keith is one best enjoyed by those who know nothing about the plot. The movie’s characters experience twists and turns, flavored with adversity and triumph, that often leave their future in doubt. “(MTV quote – Larry Carroll)
I highly recommend reading nothing and just watching this film. Consider watching it and then coming back to this and commenting…really! Google nothing and DO NOT WATCH THE TRAILER! Heck if you’re daring watch it (as I did) watch the movie and be surprised as how incredible it is after all your doubts) – Like I said I write for those that have seen it, but I”m considering all of you who haven’t!!!! I’m so kind aren’t I? hehe! Anyways, on with my thoughts:
The story is by Ron Carlson taken from his story Keith within his book The Hotel Eden. The screen play was written by David Zabel and directed by Todd Kessler. This movie is classified as drama and romance. The last type of mixture I would pick up and view as a DVD or even as a book however this story is much more. Not to mention perfect as I was hunting for great independent films. Now I haven’t read the short story Keith written by Ron Carlson. However, I ordered the book (The Hotel Eden) as the movie was fantastic so I can only imagine how amazing the short story must be.
However, although I am excited now, before I even watched the movie, I was not impressed. I walked past this movie at the video store so many times, saw Jesse McCartney but saw the whole romance coverish thing happening and moved on. I wanted to see McCartney in an independent film though as I thought he’d do great in the film world (especially independent, call it a screenwriters/directors gut feeling)) after seeing him in Summerland.
Heck..even the summary sounds just terrible and very much like every movie.
Natalie has it all: yearbook editor, scholarship to college, star athlete, reigning social queen. Then Keith enters her life. Secretive and enigmatic, he slowly lures her from her comfort zone. The more Keith holds back, the more Natalie becomes intrigued with figuring him out. In her head, she’s determined to keep him at arm’s length, but in her heart she can’t resist him. As Natalie’s world slowly unravels, both their lives are changed forever in this powerful love story. (imdb)
I have been continuing to add to my knowledge within the film world by watching movies I personally would not watch or even stop to look at. I found this one. Unaware of anything except the summary. It was a great blessing and a true surprise to watch this film and I’m truly grateful I took the time to watch it against every instinct in my body. As it turned out to be nothing of what I thought it was, a lot heavier or thicker than the summary (which I’m thankful for as it made the impact even harder) and a valuable movie to learn from and one that I will say changed me. That’s rare. I”ll never forget it.
The moment the movie started it had me with it’s opening scene…it just caused me to ask questions. Which was solid throughout the film, there was always loads of information that you were never given as it’s written from the main characters point of view. It’s an upside in the sense you are just as confused as she, Natalie (played by Elisabeth Harnois), and you have no idea what’s going on, you want to and the information you do have is just enough to make you pay complete attention to what’s going to happens next. That’s the first great part, the second is honestly the movie feels like you’re reading a book the whole way through and it has zero narration/voice over. Personally I think it’s the honesty and the depth of the characters.
At first glance you think it’s going to be this typical love story of the outsider liking the popular girl, popular girl doesn’t notice him until the throws himself out there, she pretends not to like him while dating the popular jock guy, and secretly falls for him and the outsider gets the popular girl. Technically on the surface, that’s just what it is. But it’s truly written in a more honest way than many other teen flick type dramas.As I usually feel overwhelmed with the teen heightened emotion, teen angst and melodrama within these movies not to mention it’s unrealistic take on the teen world. Bad for our youth…
It’s true the cool girl was with the cool guy at the start and started noticing Mr. Odd one out Keith played by Jesse McCartney, yet you’re following step by step. When Keith didn’t show up for school I was looking for him, I was wondering where he was and why he wasn’t there. When his truck wasn’t in the usual parking place heck I was looking for his yellow (I think 1963) C10 Chevy! It mattered to me.
Keith isn’t perfect, close to it, as there is the cliche of ‘you’re not like other guys’ however he wasn’t really like other people actually and the viewers love him for it so that’s where it’s great. As it isn’t whats expected in the sense he wasn’t the silent brooding type, mysterious so he stood out of the other guys like in most movies. And…the trailer for this film was horrid. Almost didn’t watch it, but thought…it’s independent…it’s probably nothing like the trailer. I was right. I think a few of the fans should make a fan made trailer, I think it’d get a whole lot more hits! Heck maybe I will consider making a trailer! Stay tuned!
Buy the DVD! I got it for cheap in my area bout six bucks or so (Sale!)
Links:
LINKS FOR AFTER WATCHING THE MOVIE:
Another Great Article with a little more detail of director and actor
TODD KESSLER
“Companies like Miramax were afraid that we could never pull it off, and they wanted us to make [the character of] Keith nicer and quirkier and cuter. We finally wrestled it back out after being theirs twice…I was able to get the project back independently, although on a very small budget, and get it made the way I always wanted to make it.”
“He prepared intensively. When he was on tour [with his music], I understand that he spent hours in front of the mirror in hotel rooms working on his character, working on his stance – even little details, like how he puts his hands in the pocket of his jacket,” Kessler marveled. “Everybody who sees the movie now is impressed, and the buzz is happening from those who think he’s the next Leonardo DiCaprio.”(MTV quote – Larry Carroll)
So proud of you Kessler! Glad the character never changed on it’s way to production!
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