MovieChat Forums > Constantine (2005) Discussion > Keanu Reeves' inability to act shows ...

Keanu Reeves' inability to act shows ...

posted 9 years ago by sascha-17
17 replies | jump to latest

... in every scene he's smoking in.

I certainly don't blame the dude for being a non-smoker, but when you're an actor playing a chain-smoker (and his habit being vital to the plot of your movie), looking like you only picked up the habit yesterday really doesn't help.

Every time he flicks his oversized Zippo or yanks the cigarette out of his mouth after taking a hit, he's just painful to watch. He looks like a 13-year old who just discovered smoking and is trying to impress his friends with (in his opinion) "cool" behavior.

Someone his age who has smoked since he was 15 simply wouldn't handle a lighter or a cigarette in this over-exaggerated manner. Look at real-life-smokers doing it on-screen and how subtle/second-nature their gestures are. Then watch Keanu doing his "look at me, everyone ... I'm smoking cigarettes!!"-routine.

S.

[–] Dejay 9 years ago

Keanu's range for acting is limited but the roles he does play he plays brilliantly imho. I absolutely love the way he smokes. It's the impersonation of "smoking cool".

[–] feng-jiao 9 years ago

Reeves actually has been a real smoker in the last 20 years. I remember reading that he started while filming "Feeling Minnesota".

[–] deathtopixies3 9 years ago

I didn't really notice him smoking like that.. It seemed pretty natural and normal to me.

[–] TheWyleyOne 9 years ago

in this over-exaggerated manner. Look at real-life-smokers doing it on-screen and how subtle/second-nature their gestures are.

Yes, but Constantine isn't "real-life" - the character is paranormal and over the top. I think Keanu Reeves played it perfect by "exaggerating", to use your words, his smoking technique, as just another part of Constantine's larger than life being.

Wyley
"For your information, it's none of your business." Lisa Simpson

[–] TomsWindow 9 years ago

Not a smoker myself, so I don't know how people naturally smoke, but honestly, I thought he made smoking look freaking cool in this film.

If nothing we do matters, then all that matters is what we do. -Angel

[–] tomlin-88 9 years ago

My only problem with his acting was his Cough.... its like he's never coughed in real life or something, its just bad and hard to watch

[–] Thee_Justin_Sane 9 years ago

I'm a big Keanu fan, but as a 3.5 packs a day smoker with emphysema, I have to admit, the smoking looked forced, and the cough was really fake.

He sounded like a kid trying to fake being sick to get out of school.
When I cough, it sounds like a chunk of lung might come out.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Dejay 8 years ago

If you still smoke, you really should check out vaping. It's like 95% less hazardous than smoking and relatively easy to switch.

I actually started smoking again after watching this movie and reading the comics a few years back. Stupid yeah but it did look cool and I was in a self destructive mood back then. Until I switched to vaping.

[–] Thee_Justin_Sane 8 years ago

I've been Vaping for four and a half years, that's why I ONLY smoke 3.5 packs/day.

But to update that post, I'm currently on a drug called Champix to quit smoking, and in a month I've tapered off to two packs a day without any effort on my part.
Just noticed I wasn't buying cartons as often for some reason.

There's still 2 months left on the prescription, so we'll see.
If it 'just happens' like it seems to be, it's effortless.

[–] Thee_Justin_Sane 8 years ago

I should add, with the strongest nic level, I would have to use a 30ml bottle every 5 days to match the nic level of what I smoke(d).
That's a lot of Vaping, it would never leave my mouth. I'd need to wear an oxygen mask hooked up to the Vaporizer.

But it's good for plane trips and movie theatres. I couldn't sit through a movie until I got the e-cig.

[–] ModernHorror 8 years ago

Ehhh? Keanu Reeves is a heavy smoker IN REAL LIFE.

There is no 'now', here.