Don McKay
In this edgy thriller, Don McKay (Thomas Haden Church, Sideways) flees his hometown after a horrendous tragedy and vows never to return. But 25 years later he comes back to find a dark menace looming over the town. As he attempts to rekindle his romance with an old high school girlfriend (Elisabeth Shue, Leaving Las Vegas), Don is pulled into a malevolent world from which he may never escape.
Member Reviews
"Don McKay" will throw you off-guard with its originality in presentation - napierslogs
"Don McKay" is marketed as an edgy thriller, that's probably because they had no idea how to categorize it.
The movie begins as a cross between a romantic drama, a character study, and a dark thriller. Don McKay, played brilliantly by Thomas Haden Church, returns to his hometown by a letter from his high school girlfriend, Sunny (Elisabeth Shue). That's the romantic drama aspect. But we quickly learn that there's something not quite right about Sunny, there's something not quite right with most people in the town, and McKay has dark secrets to his past. We are always on the lookout for creepy turns and shadows around every corner. Those are the dark thriller aspects.
It seems as if it's going to be a character study, but its really not about McKay himself. It's ultimately plot-driven and the mysterious problems that McKay gets himself into. I was riveted throughout.
I actually highly recommend "Don McKay" because it's cleverly written to throw its audience off-guard, it's completely original, and these film-makers know what they are doing. And no matter what genre you decide it is by the end, it won't be what you thought it was at the beginning.
Follow my blog Napierslogs' Movie Expositions at http://napierslogs.blogspot.comQuirky And A Fun Flick - movienut1
Quirky: "Something that is strange/not normal but cool. E.g. 'Wearing long stripy socks that are mismatched and odd..."
There is nothing 'normal' about the movie "Don McKay" and as such it fits Thomas Haden Church's acting style perfectly. I remember him mostly from the 1990 to 1995 TV series "Wings" and this role, as an ex-boyfriend from 25 years past suddenly called in to comfort a dying girlfriend, is perfect for him.
The whole movie is ... well ... quirky. Every single character is not what they seem and while the basic plot arc I thought was a revealed a bit early (thanks to the wooden but subtly devious acting of the ever gorgeous Elizabeth Shue) I was mostly wrong by the time the movie ended.
Nothing, right down to the name of the cab company that drives Don McKay around ('Don McKay?! In my cab!? Who'da thunk it?!') is anything but normal.
Two thumbs up.Placed in Wrong Genre/Category - c4th
Like the majority of movies that attempt to cross genres, Don McKay plays like a movie that doesn’t know what it wants to be and leaves most viewers dissatisfied. It quickly places the viewer in the wrong mindset by beginning with the feel of a serious psychological drama, then introduces elements of black comedy and ultimately deteriorates into a farcical comedy. It also feels like the creators wrote and rewrote the script as they went through the production process – never a good sign.
Viewers that like black comedy have the best chance of enjoying this movie. If you are looking for a serious taut thriller, search elsewhere.
Member Reviews
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"Don McKay" will throw you off-guard with its originality in presentation - napierslogs
"Don McKay" is marketed as an edgy thriller, that's probably because they had no idea how to categorize it.
The movie begins as a cross between a romantic drama, a character study, and a dark thriller. Don McKay, played brilliantly by Thomas Haden Church, ...Quirky And A Fun Flick - movienut1
Quirky: "Something that is strange/not normal but cool. E.g. 'Wearing long stripy socks that are mismatched and odd..."
There is nothing 'normal' about the movie "Don McKay" and as such it fits Thomas Haden Church's acting style perfectly. I remember ...Placed in Wrong Genre/Category - c4th
Like the majority of movies that attempt to cross genres, Don McKay plays like a movie that doesn’t know what it wants to be and leaves most viewers dissatisfied. It quickly places the viewer in the wrong mindset by beginning with the feel of a serious psychological ...