Keanu Reeves, born September 2, 1964, in Beirut, Lebanon, has become a household name thanks to his iconic action roles, particularly in the John Wick and The Matrix franchises. The ever-increasing success of the John Wick films only solidifies the fact that people can't seem to get enough of Reeves as the unstoppable assassin who will go to great lengths for the sake of a dog. While Keanu Reeves is undoubtedly one of the world's most beloved action heroes, what about his forays into the world of drama? Keanu Reeves Birthday Special: From Constantine to A Scanner Darkly, 5 Underrated Movies of the John Wick Star That Deserve a Second Chance!

Now, let's be honest: Keanu Reeves isn't exactly renowned as a dramatic actor. There have been occasions when his performances have been criticised as the weakest link in a film, such as Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula or Bernardo Bertolucci's Little Buddha. Even in some of his blockbuster hits, like The Matrix sequels, critics have described him as 'wooden.' However, there are other films where the actor has managed to shine in dramatic roles.

On the occasion of his 60th birthday, we will explore five such movies and where you can watch them online.

1. My Own Private Idaho

Keanu Reeves in My Own Private Idaho

In this Gus Van Sant road trip LGBTQ-themed drama, the late River Phoenix shines as Mike, a street hustler, in search of his true parentage. However, Keanu Reeves is equally impressive in the film as Scott, a fellow hustler and Mike's best friend, for whom he harbours romantic feelings. 1991 proved to be a remarkable year for Reeves, as two of his other releases - Point Break and Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey - also achieved cult status. My Own Private Idaho is available for paid viewing on Prime Video.

2. The Devil's Advocate

Keanu Reeves in The Devil's Advocate

It's no small feat to stand out when acting alongside the great Al Pacino, who delivers a theatrical performance in this film. Nevertheless, Keanu Reeves manages to hold his own as the conflicted lawyer tempted by the Devil himself to embrace the darkness. The Devil's Advocate is available for paid viewing on Prime Video.

3. The Gift

Keanu Reeves in The Gift

In this Sam Raimi supernatural thriller featuring an ensemble cast that includes Cate Blanchett, Giovanni Ribisi, Hilary Swank, Katie Holmes, Greg Kinnear, Gary Cole, and JK Simmons, Keanu Reeves stands out with an unexpectedly menacing performance as the abusive husband of Hilary Swank's character. This film was later remade in Bollywood as Rakht, with Bipasha Basu, Sanjay Dutt, and Suniel Shetty in the lead, with Dino Morea portraying Reeves' role. The Gift is available for paid viewing on Google Play and YouTube. Keanu Reeves Birthday Special: 10 Inspiring Quotes by the John Wick Star That Show He is Man in Love With Life!

4. A Scanner Darkly

Keanu Reeves in A Scanner Darkly

Richard Linklater's A Scanner Darkly is a sci-fi psychological thriller uniquely animated using an interpolated rotoscope. The film stars Keanu Reeves, Robert Downey Jr, Woody Harrelson, and Winona Ryder. Reeves portrays an undercover narcotics officer in a dystopian world, and the actor received high praise for his performance. A Scanner Darkly is available for paid viewing on Prime Video.

5. The Lake House

Keanu Reeves in The Lake House

In the 2006 romantic drama, Keanu Reeves takes on the role of Alex Wyler, an architect who moves into a breathtaking lake house. Unbeknownst to him, the house possesses a remarkable connection to time and space. This film ranks among the actor's most beloved romantic works, and it stands as the most successful of them all. Fans particularly appreciate the chemistry between Reeves and Sandra Bullock, who reunite after their memorable partnership in Speed. The Lake House is available for paid viewing on Prime Video.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2024 09:11 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).