Just for fun, I Googled "Keanu Reeves underrated" and found there are many people who initially agree with that idea, but not because they think he's so talented. The most they'll do is credit him with "interesting project choices" or his "willingness to challenge himself." They won't concede even the possibility that maybe he's just really good at what he does.

Thank goodness he's so much mentally tougher than his haters or I would've been deprived of some very profound art.

---

may I call you Jack?

---

Yes, ma'am. :)

---

People on IMDb boards say "what's with all the excessive gestures, especially outside the bar, with Elizabeth".

---

Even in the heyday of my Reeves obsession in 2014, this was by far the scene I struggled with the most. I just couldn't get his choice to play it so insanely over the top, although I still liked the movie and enjoyed him in it. Fast forward two years, to when I watch it again a few weeks ago. Lo and behold, I'm astounded by how perfectly the scene reads. Every single look, gesture, and inflection of his is dead on target, and I suddenly find myself watching not just a movie, but a new creation come to life before my eyes. I can't believe I ever thought it was too much. Wonder how many more times he can send me round the twist...

here you go :)
not the best image quality, but at least it's not dubbed in German ;)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbqt27WZh2I
this one has a better image, but Spanish subtitles.

maybe some online streaming sites?
do a search and see if any works for you....

if not, I'll lend you mine :) send it to you by post; from Romania, it should be about 3-4 days :)
It's region 2, it should work :)

I didn't like the way a lot of the bigger gestures were reading throughout the movie - angry, awkward, and needlessly "in your face" in some places. Then it hit me: Conor himself would not know how his body language presents to others, because self-awareness isn't his gift. But the gestures give a completely accurate depiction of the frustration, confusion, and over-the-top defensiveness Conor feels toward the world and the kids, and most of all the loathing he feels toward himself. Conor is an awkward character, and it makes sense to me (now) that his physical presentation would read that way (not that it always does, just in some scenes). I think that's why KR's portrayal changed so much once Conor found his purpose and figured out who he was. He's at peace with himself and the world, and the character's altered physicality shows that. Or maybe I'm being meta and giving the man far more credit than I should - but based on what I've seen in his other roles, I don't think so.

Speaking of well-played body language, I love the way KR "tracks" Diane Lane's movements in some of their scenes - making himself appear shorter so he can be on the same physical level she is, for example. It's such an appealing non-verbal way of showing he's really into her, regardless of the rough edges he has yet to iron out.

I know I don't have anything new to say, I'm just still struck by what his art means to me.