Sweet November & Speed were the only I liked

he cannot act!

in high school my math teacher said he couldn't act his way out of a paper bag

i find him amusing. i love him even though i think he is a terrible actor.

I usually avoid his movies because he can't really act but I will see this one because it sounds wicked.

He is very hit for miss for me. I loved him in Speed, Bill & Tedd, The Lake House, The Matrix, Bill & Ted & My Own Private Idaho. Everything else...not so much.

He is not a very good actor, but there is something about his presence that I find very appealing. Not just as eye candy, either.

I'll give him My Own Private Idaho too, but that's about it.

It all depends - he's really good at one role (lovable not so bright brave dude), but when he strays (for example, oh, I don't know - SHAKESPEARE) he just tanks. If he makes another movie like Parenthood, Bill & Ted, Speed, or the Matrix - I'm in.

Brittfish--right on! He was just embarrassing in Much Ado About Nothing--I felt sorry for him.
I still want him to do well though.
Keanu was at his best in Little Buddha, I think.

He's okay...I liked him in The Matrix, Bill & Ted, and a Walk in the Clouds.

common is delicious?

I saw the movie yesterday and he was great! Ayer is an excellent director and the casting was spot on. It's a dirty and violent movie and Keanu was excellent.

Since I've seen all his movies, I may be a bit biased.

Love him and I think he gets a bad rap. I'd watch paint dry if he was standing near the wall.

I thought the Matrix sucked and he sucked in it. But I will give him:

Bill & Ted (both)
Parenthood
My Own Private Idaho
Thumbsucker

That's it. He's been awful in everything else I've seen him in.

Oh, yeah, and Speed. He wasn't good in it but that movie is a guilty pleasure of mine.

Seriously? You could substitute a cardboard cutout of him in every scene and no one would notice. I really don't get it.

yes he is a terrible actor, and it often semms like he just makes some bad choices - much ado about nothing(partly the casting director's fault), dracula, point break. however, some of his movies are fantastic, and he seems to be adequate to good in them, such as the devil's advocate, the matrix, sweet november, and bill and ted's. but I think the main attraction of keanu reeves is that he has this indescribable charm, where you know he's just a regular guy who is sweet and kind. I know that he takes care of his mom, who is paralyzed or something like that, which makes him even more attractive...

Love Keanu! He sucks just like every other actor in Hollywood but it's okay. He looks good on the big screen and everyone else is jealous.

to answer em113's question, yes, Common is delicious! if you don't believe me, watch smokin' aces (a terrible movie, however, it has some great performances from the scrumptious Jeremy Piven, the lovely Alicia Keys, and the - yes, delicious - Common...

Love him, love his acting.
River's Edge - Absolutely AMAZING! Feeling Minnesota he is amazing. Constantine - amazing. Hardball - heartbreaking, real and amazing. Thumbsucker - hilarious and nuanced.

People see only what they want to see with him - a guy with a weird name who has played some roles that have pigeon-holed him in the eyes of the general public.

lizlee89, you're exactly right! I don't particularly like his acting either, but I can't help but like him. He's very laid back and charming, and you have to admit it, even though many have problems with his acting...he's made a big name for himself in Hollywood.

People say he can't act often or he's playing himself. But he was fantastic as a racist redneck in "The Gift". In "Street Kings", he's very rough and mean. He stands toe to toe with Forest and steps up his game.

I don't get how people put him down more than other actors. He's been in the business for 22 years, always on top. That says as much about him as about the people who say he can't act.

Big name directors like e.g. Frears, Bertolucci, Branagh, Ford Coppola wouldn't bother with someone who can't act, just because he's got a good agent. And if a part doesn't turn out so well, it's at least as much the director's fault as the actor's, and then there's another factor called editing.

Most of the negative opinion voiced here is personal and not really thought through, responding to a stereotype image people have of him for whatever reason. It shines a bigger light on his detractors than on Keanu.

lizlee--well said--I agree

I'm not that impressed with his acting and won't go out of my way to watch one of his movies, but I won't NOT see one because he's in it either. I thought he held his own in "A Scanner Darkly" too.

I chosed other, I don't have a high opinion of his acting but I can't put that aside depending of the movie. I liked ''the replacements'' and that movie where he trains kids to play baseball.

''that movie where he trains kids to play baseball.'' The title was Hardball.

I have loved Keanu since forever I guess. Bill and Ted oh soo cheesy and good. And he is good in some roles. I actually thought he wasn't so terrible in Much ado but maybe that's just because I am a fan. He's adorable and he has a certain vulnerability that you can't deny. I think maybe that is why people say he can't act or that he is always playing himself, because he just seems so honest and not trying to hard to be convincing. I love a walk in the clouds and a lot of his other movies. I did not however like little Buddha but still went to see it just because he was in it and I think his part was actually pretty great.

I will always be a sucker for Keanu!!

For one thing I am an 80's girl.. so I grew up with Kea!

And will he win an Oscar ..um probably not. But does he make some enjoyable movies with interesting performances.. yep!

I loved River's Edge, Parenthood, Point Break, My Own Private Idaho (RIP River), Little Buddha, Speed, The Gift, Matrix, Sweet Novemeber (shh do not tell anyone I like that crappy movie.. Somethings Gotta Give also falls into the don't ask don't tell catagory), Constantine (Kea and Shia in a movie..forget about it!!!) and I am counting the days until The Day the Earth Stood Still!!!

Add that he has had such a tragic life (you cannot help but root for him and want to see the guy find some happiness). And that he seems like a enuinely down to Earth generous guy.

I will always shell out the price of a movie ticket and popcorn for Keanu!

Bil and Ted, Bill and Ted . . . God, I love that movie. In Keanu's defense, bad material can make an actor suck — all I need to do is invoke Natalie Portman (and everyone else) in Star Wars, Episodes 1-3.

I have to admit I'm a bit of a Keanu fan. I try to go and see every movie he is in. He can be really bad and play in really bad movies, but still he is Johnny Utah, and I will always give him credit for that.
And I also really like 'Speed', 'Matrix' (only the first one), 'Constantine', 'My Own Private Idaho', 'Little Budha', 'Dracula', 'A scanner darkly'.
Not so much - not to say not at all - 'Sweet November', 'Something's gotta give', 'Hard Ball', 'The lake house' though.

I don't think he's very versatile - when he wants to be serious, he loses a lot of the finer points of emotion. Which is weird if you've ever seen him interviewed or on commentary on a DVD. He's very animated and energetic as himself.
Nonetheless - A Scanner Darkly and Thumbsucker made me give him a second chance in my head.

Are you freaking serious? Some of you who think he's the worst actor? Is he *really* the worst you ever saw? Give me a break. You're just jumping on the bandwagon with all the wannabe cool kids in Keanu bashing. He definitely suffered some unfair criticism over the years. When people say things like "he can't act, he can't act out of a paper bag, he's wooden, and the like", it makes me think that person doesn't think for themselves and just regurgitating the stupid things people say who really haven't seen any of his films. He wouldn't have 20+ years of a career if he was that bad. He isn't the best actor in Hollywood, but he's up there with other A-list actors. And he's getting better too. He's been great in "River's Edge, The Gift, Matrix, Devil's Advocate, Something's Gotta Give, Constantine and few other obscure ones. I'm sick of this unwarranted Keanu bashing for no real good reason.
He's also very generous giving each of his stunt men a Harley and $1 million each to the special effects people for the movie Matrix.

Other: I'll wait until they come out on video.

Love love love love love love Keanu Reeves and he gets a bad rap. He is a great actor and oh sooooooo cute.

he gets a bad rap for no good reason? i wouldn't go that far. most of his performances are unintentionally comedic. but i love him anyway.

I think he's been in GOOD movies, BUT they weren't good because of him... usually a supporting actor has to make up for where he lacks. Like Devil's Advocate is great... but not because of Keanu... it's great because of Al Pacino. I love Bill and Ted and I totally forgot he was in Parenthood... I love that movie but haven't watched it in years... I'll have to re watch it.

I like him & his movies.

I want to avoid his movies because I don't think he's very good, but he does select some good movies, so I end up watching them. I liked Matrix, The Devil's Advocate, Much Ado About Nothing, My Own Private Idaho, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (but come on... how much acting was really involved there?), and probably a few others. He's just too wooden on screen, but sometimes that's tolerable if there's a good movie otherwise.

you're totally right. he picks good flicks. and the key with him is to use him for what he's worth--mostly action with minimal dialogue, surrounded by a strong supporting cast. (i was surprised by much ado about nothing. good flick, but not in keeping with the formula.) i'm not gonna lie, i enjoyed constantine and can't turn it off if i catch it on tv.

he is actually #1 at the top of my list but i have no illusions as to his acting abilities (which granted, have improved over the years).

Depends on what the movie calls for. He plays stoic and angry very well (The Gift and Much Ado About Nothing). But, there are times when I think God, that kids terrible. But, will always love Keanu, so I'll keep watching.

I love Bill & Ted, Devil's Advocate, Point Break, and A Scanner Darkly. I don't think he's the greatest actor ever, but he can definitely be entertaining.