The Keeper

As several have already referenced, "The Keeper" shares many plot similarities with the much more accomplished film "The Collector." Dennis Hopper plays a deranged sheriff who kidnaps an exotic dancer to hold her prisoner. Although the motives are never fully substantiated, I presume it has something to do with "saving" her as he sees her as both a love interest and a mother substitute. Not too much suspense is generated--and if you're expecting clever banter or a cat and mouse game of intrigue between the two, that's not really going to be this movie. He ends up keeping her for a year, but again nothing interesting particularly changes in their dynamic in that time.

Hopper is relatively wooden, which isn't terrible for this role--it lends to the craziness. But he also has a public persona. He's invented a crime fighting puppet that's all the rage on TV with the kids. It's a bit peculiar, however, he doesn't seem as if he'd be very ingratiating to children. Asia Argento, never particularly compelling as an actress, is serviceable here. It's with a sense of dread that I say that Argento's might be the most believable performance in this piece. And poor Helen Shaver, as a successful TV producer or maybe a teacher (who can really tell), is a hoot. Fawning in lust for Hopper, seething in jealousy at Argento--everything that can be played to the rafters is.

The logic of the story is never really developed. A deputy who pursues Argento's case, never lets it go! In fact, one year later--he's still chasing her down on the exact day that Hopper finally decides to move her. Mind you, she was a transient exotic dancer and no foul play has been reported. It's all rather silly.

I'm being generous to give this two stars. It doesn't really deserve it. But Shaver's crazy performance was somehow endearing, and Hopper's demented puppet show near the end is fun. I know it's slight amusement, but I'll take anything. KGHarris, 11/06.

This movie is predictibly similar to Misery without any suspense or interesting plot developments. The box art for this movie is also misleading as it shows a girl locked up in a small cage. In fact it is simply a spacious jail cell that some crooked cop has in his basement. A made for Showtime movie.

As you may be quick to recognize if you love movies, "The Keeper" shares many plot similarities with the much more accomplished film "The Collector" (from 1965 with a terrific Terence Stamp and Samantha Eggar). Dennis Hopper plays a deranged sheriff who kidnaps an exotic dancer to hold her prisoner. Although his motives are never fully substantiated, I presume it has something to do with "saving" her as he sees her as both a love interest and a mother substitute. Not too much suspense is generated and if you're expecting clever banter or a cat and mouse game of intrigue between the two, that's not really going to be this movie. He ends up keeping her for a year, but again nothing interesting particularly changes in their dynamic in that time.

Hopper is relatively wooden, which isn't exactly terrible for this role as it lends to the craziness. But as written, he also has a public persona. He's invented a crime fighting puppet that's all the rage on TV with the kids. It's a bit peculiar, however, he doesn't seem as if he'd be very ingratiating to children. Asia Argento, never particularly compelling as an actress, is serviceable here. It's with a sense of dread that I say that Argento's might be the most believable performance in this piece. And poor Helen Shaver, as a successful TV producer or maybe a teacher (who can really tell), is a hoot. Fawning in lust for Hopper, seething in jealousy at Argento--everything that can be played to the rafters is.

The logic of the story is never really developed. A deputy who pursues Argento's case never lets it go! In fact, one year later--he's still chasing her down on the exact day that Hopper finally decides to move her. Mind you, she was a transient exotic dancer and no foul play has been reported. It's all rather silly. I'm being generous to give this two stars. It doesn't really deserve it. But Shaver's crazy performance was somehow endearing, and Hopper's demented puppet show near the end is fun. I know it's slight amusement, but I'll take anything I can get. KGHarris, 11/06.