Tribeca Review: ‘Don McKay’

This was one of the most surprising films at the Tribeca Film Festival this year. Not because it was good (which it was) but because I really had no idea where it was going. I knew little about the film before seeing it other than the vague synopsis and the fact that there was some buzz surrounding Thomas Haden Church’s performance. Some said it was comparable to his performance in Sideways, which I really enjoyed although that was more for Paul Giamatti. While Church was good in his role, this is quite a different film from Sideways.

Church plays the titular Don McKay who returns home after 25 years after receiving a letter from his ex-girlfriend Sonny, played by Elisabeth Shue. Sonny doesn’t have much time to live and wants to spend her remaining days with the love of her life. Unfortunately for Don, Sonny’s caretaker doesn’t seem to like him much and her doctor seems to hate him even more. By the way, everyone I just mentioned is lying and has secrets from everyone else, including the audience. In fact, by the end, we have no idea who is even telling the truth until everything finally spills out in quite a fun and surprising turn of events.

The film definitely shifts gears early on jumping from an awkward comedy into black comedy with a violent attack on Don, which results in him having to hide a body in Sonny’s backyard. This poorly buried body is just one of the skeletons in the closet in this film. Don has to deal with old acquaintances, a recurring cab driver and a somewhat changed Sonny. My biggest problem with the film is that I did not find Sonny very likeable and can’t see what Don sees in her. However, at the end we understand how Don has loved Sonny for the past 25 years and why he is willing to be with her despite all her changes but most of the film I just didn’t care for her. I also did not find the film quite as funny as most of the people in my audience. Regardless, it is still an entertaining film.

Despite some minor problems I had with the humor and the character of Sonny, this is an engaging and entertaining film that will leave you guessing up until the funny and surprising ending.

Jerry Cavallaro – www.AreYouStuckLikeChuck.com