KNOX GOES AWAY/ ASSASSIN’S PLAN

US, 2023, 115 minutes, Colour.

Michael Keaton, James Marsden, Al Pacino, Marcia Gay Harden, Joanna Kulig, Suszy Nakamura, Dennis Dugan.

Directed by Michael Keaton.

A surprisingly interesting human drama. Even more so when we realise that the central character is a long time, very successful professional hitman. And, the film was directed by its star, Michael Keaton, playing the hitman, an intense performance.

The film was released locally with an alternate title, Assassin’s Plan, indicating violent action. While there is some violent action, the assassin’s plan itself is not what we might expect, quite some twist as the film comes to a conclusion.

The original title, Knox Goes Away, is the more telling title. While we see John Knox take on a commission, generally commissions to eliminate drug dealers and other thugs, we see him momentarily hesitant, just trying to remember, the thought going out of his head, a touch of insecurity. He is covering himself, flies to California for a consultation with a neurologist who gives him a sombre diagnosis, a special kind of dementia coming on, not long before it takes over. There are signals throughout the world film as each successive week comes on.

Incipient dementia has a disastrous effect on the hit. The local detectives, led by the tough Emily Ikari (Susie Nakamura) note the inconsistencies at the murder scene, and a lead to John Knox. But, the screenplay becomes even more complex with the arrival of John Knox’s longtime alienated Myles, son, played by James Marsden, with a violent story of his own. It involves a sleazy trafficking dealer and his relationship with Myles’s daughter.

One of the entertaining aspects of the film is the presence of Al Pacino, longtime coordinator of crimes and hits, a perfect Pacino role which he brings to life, Pacino in his early 80s. There is a later guest appearance by Marcia Gaye harden as John Knox is long-suffering wife.

So, there is double interest in the latter part of the film, John Knox’s relationship with his son, the reason for the alienation, his attempts to rectify the situation, set up for the police. The other interest is Knox’s declining memory, increasing failures, the inevitable onset and its repercussions. While we can’t admire Knox as a person, we can have some compassion as we sympathise with the dementia.

A film that Michael Keaton can be proud of.

1. Title? The focus on Knox, his career as a hitman, his mental decline? The commercial title, emphasising the assassin, the complexity of the plan for his son?
2. Michael Keaton, directing, performing, producing, an effective achievement? And his role as producer for the supporting cast, especially roles for Al Pacino and Marcia Gaye Harden?
3. The portrait of John Knox, his background, military training, the connection with the saviour, the unseen controller arranging the hits, the targets, dealers and thugs, his mentioning only two mistake and deaths? His marriage, alienation from his wife, her love for him, his visiting her, the sadness of the visit, his alienation from his son? His time in prison? Jobs, his collaboration with Mauncey their conversations, planning? Success with their jobs?
4. The indication of oncoming dementia, gaps, the distractions, unable to remember, saying that he would be away, the flight to the neurosurgeon, the discussions, the specialty of his illness, the limited number of weeks? Audience sympathy for his condition?
5. The killing, entry into the apartment, the target, the girl, the shower, killing both? The memory lapse, the mistake with Mauncey, killing him, fixing the situation, the gun in hand?
6. The visit to Xavier, the friendship, Xavier’s character, the conversations, arranging the finances, going to the dealer, the money issues, the plan to leave the money to his wife, son, girlfriend?
7. The girlfriend, coming once a week, his relationship with her, for years, her wondering about him, seeing the book, the irony of her bringing the thugs, the confrontation, wanting the paintings, the stones, his ability to overcome the thugs? Her fear, and the irony of his telling her she would have got more from his will? The final irony of his bequest of the books to her?
8. The detectives, on the scene, the tough chief, her own preoccupations about her ill mother, the experts, fingerprints, the issue of who turned off the shower? The John Knox connection, visiting, interrogations, his going to the station? The discussions, the tests, conclusions, and mystery?
9. The alienation from his son, the visit, Myles and his explanation of the situation, his daughter, online, the predator, Myles confronting him, killing him? Asking his father’s help? The story of the alienation? Knox agreeing to help, the discussion with Xavier, the elaborate plan to divert the police, Knox and his notes? The range of the plan, the blood on the shirt, artificial, the clothes in the dumpster, hiding the knife, fingerprints contrived? The setting up of the plan?
10. Myles, with his wife and daughter, the confrontation in the restaurant, the fight? His being arrested, interrogated, the death of the trafficker? Going to prison? His father’s visit, the truth that he had reported his father and sent his father to jail?
11. The screenplay suggesting weeks passing, Knox getting weaker, forgetting, the search for the stones, his getting lost, having to be rescued?
12. The detectives, the analysis of the situation, Knox’s plan working, that he was responsible for the death, their not being able to keep Myles?
13. The scene of the wife receiving the money and her reaction? Miyes realising the truth, the money?
14. His going to see his father in prison, the farewell, and the final pathos of Knox just gazing into nothingness?