Review of Don McKay (2009) by Thomas W — 07 Jul 2010

A convoluted dramedy-thriller that is an hour and twenty-seven minutes too long. Thomas Haden Church (Sideways, Spiderman 3) stars as Don McKay, a high school janitor who returns to his hometown after a twenty-five year absence at the request of one of his old friends played by Elisabeth Shue (Leaving Las Vegas, Adventures in Babysitting).

It is revealed that she has terminal cancer and she wants to spend the last weeks and moments of her life with her dear friend whom she asks to marry her. The movie begins as a light-drama with a fair share of comedy thrown in here and there but it eventually twists and does a complete 180 and turns into a thriller with a high body count about collecting insurance.

Nothing is as it seems in this movie ... and that is a fitting description of the film itself. What you see is NOT what you are getting. Once death entered the movie, the broad attempts at humor no longer worked and it was difficult to watch and even want to follow along.

None of the characters are particularly likeable (even the supporting ones played by Melissa Leo [Frozen River], M. Emmet Walsh, James Rebhorn and Keith David). I didn't care for or about these people and it made the film equally as un-appealing.

Perhaps the movie ALWAYS knew where it was headed; but the rapid about-face it takes throws the viewer off and it felt jarring.