When posed with the question as to who the best action star in recent times is, many people would sayKeanu Reeves. He is so well-known for his high-octane antics, that many forget just how great of a sense of humor he has. He never takes himself too seriously, which is evident in many interviews, and it’s this self-deprecating attitude that lends itself well to creating a great comedic character.
The fact that he willingly repeats his catchphrase “whoa” in most of his films proves that he’s up for anything. Whether he’s lending his voice to an animated project, savagely spoofing his public persona, or fully embracing the “stoner” role he is often typecast in,he constantly proves that he has a fantastic sense of humorand great talent at delivering a funny line.
5I Love You To Death (1990)
As Marlon
This underrated dark comedy features a truly terrific cast including Kevin Kline, Tracy Ullman, and William Hurt. To stand out among such a host of talent inI Love You to Deathshows just how skilled an actor Keanu Reeves truly is. The film follows a womanizer whose wife is tired of his infidelities and hires a duo of hitmen to dispose of him. One of these assassins is Marlon, a perpetually stoned young man who is not the sharpest tool in the shed.
I Love You to Death
Cast
I Love You to Death is a dark comedy from 1990, starring Kevin Kline as Joey Boca, a pizza parlor owner. The story unfolds as Joey’s wife, Rosalie, played by Tracey Ullman, discovers his infidelities and takes drastic measures in response. The film explores themes of love and betrayal.
Reeves often got cast in similar roles, because of his looks and the fact that he was able to deliver hilarious lines in a deadpan way. Marlon gets so much wrong so much of the time, but then he will come up with nuggets of wisdom that are deeper than anyone would give him credit for. There is also a decent amount of physical comedy that Reeves should get credit for.
4Something’s Gotta Give (2003)
As Julian Mercer
This classic romantic comedy features two Hollywood legends in the form of Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton, with a very charming supportive performance from Reeves.He plays a dreamy doctorwho is the antithesis of Nicholson’s philandering lothario.
It’s Reeves' subtle performance and natural charisma that make him endearing and ensures a smile on the audience’s face whenever they see him.
Reeves' Julian becomes romantically linked with Keaton’s character, leading to many funny moments in the film. He sparks jealousy in his rival and handles these comedic interactions with class. Unlike many characters who are an obstacle to the movie’s endgame couple, Julian remains a genuinely good person to the end when he bows out gracefully.
Something’s Gotta Give
Something’s Gotta Give is a romantic comedy directed by Nancy Meyers, starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton. The film follows a successful but aging bachelor who falls for his much younger girlfriend’s mother. Also featuring performances by Keanu Reeves and Amanda Peet, the story explores themes of love, aging, and self-discovery amidst the backdrop of the Hamptons.
It’s Reeves' subtle performance and natural charisma that make him endearingand ensures a smile on the audience’s face whenever they see him. His flirtation with Keaton is meant to be played for comedy, but the way he comes across is much more genuine, which makes the story feel more uplifting and relatable.
3Toy Story 4 (2019)
As Duke Caboom
Reeves is not only a great leading man, but also a very talented and rather prolific voice actor. He has lent his vocals to many great roles, including a kitten named after him, a mystical underwater being, and even Batman. But,one of his standout voice roles has got to be Duke CaboominToy Story 4. Like many other films, this one leans into the action-man persona that he is widely known for, and the comedy stems from that.
Toy Story 4
Toy Story 4 is part of Pixar’s animated franchise, where Woody, voiced by Tom Hanks, embarks on a road trip with old and new friends. As Bonnie introduces Forky, an unconventional toy, Woody navigates the challenges of his evolving role while exploring the wider world beyond Andy and Bonnie.
As a daredevil action toy, Duke is meant to be fearless and up for anything. In reality, he is plagued by self-doubt and constantly compares himself to other toys that he deems better. However, he is also a trier and never fails to keep morale up and even motivate himself.Reeves was the perfect choice for this roleas he’s able to imbue the toy with many emotions while ensuring the audience is never in doubt that he has the potential for greatness.
2Always Be My Maybe (2019)
As Keanu Reeves
Reeves has proven time and time again that he does not take himself too seriously, and is always keen to poke fun at his own expense. It’s perhaps most evident in his role as a fictionalized version of himself in the rom-comAlways Be My Maybe.
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Reeves' character is so deliciously pretentious and overtly philosophical, that it makes him seem like an absolute egomaniac. Even his entrance plays into his action star credentials as he walks in slow motion toward Ali Wong and Randall Park. This self-parody is a self-deprecating masterclass, and his overly dramatic performance makes it that much funnier.
Always Be My Maybe
Always Be My Maybe stars Randall Park and Ali Wong as Marcus and Sasha, two San Francisco natives and childhood best friends who, after losing touch for many years, reconnect when Sasha moves back home to open a restaurant in the city. Having both previously held romantic feelings for each other, the two begin a real relationship in adulthood, but their lives and ambitions threaten to once again pull them apart. James Saito, Daniel Dae Kim, and Keanu Reeves are part of the supporting cast.
Reeves' role in the movie is brief, but it leaves such a lasting impactthat it feels like he’s one of the main cast. It also has a lot of importance in the plot, which would explain his willingness to take part. It goes to show that Reeves is very well aware of the public’s perception of him and is not afraid to play with it.
1Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)
As Ted Logan
TheBill and Tedfranchise has created a lasting legacy that showcases Reeves' comedic genius. With two sequels and even a spin-off TV show, the world has learned to stay excellent and always cherish their friendships. Following two hapless best buds across the universe, the underworld, and through time has been a fun adventure, and it’s always great to see Reeves bring this music-obsessed, naive dude to life.
Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure
Starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure follows the titular heroes, two high school students in 1980s California who must go on a time-traveling quest assembling historical figures in order to pass a history test and in doing so ensure a utopian future that they play a large part in. George Carlin stars alongside Reeves and Winter as Rufus.
The genius lies in how seriously Reeves approaches everythingthe two have to deal with. He’s not over-acting or trying to queue up jokes and witty one-liners. Instead, he goes with the flow and stays true to himself. Or rather, stays true to Ted ‘Theodore’ Logan.He shows genuine curiosity towards each new personor being he encounters, even if they are the most famous figure in history, and his beauty lies in rarely being embarrassed by his lack of knowledge. This collection of films will always hold an important place inKeanu Reeves’impressive body of work.
