Diane Keaton (1946-2025)

by Cláudio Alves

ANNIE HALL (1977) Woody Allen | © United Artists

Well, here you have it. As many have been asking, this is a post where you can share your love for Diane Keaton, who left us this past week at the age of 79. She was an actress like few others in the history of American cinema, New Hollywood to the bone, yet reminiscent of those Old Hollywood idols whose very presence molded movies around their persona. Her range was awe-inspiring, encompassing the ditzy archetypes she perfected in early Woody Allen comedies and the depths of tragedy, from light farcical fare to movie star showcases where drama and funny business came together beautifully. Even when she was going through the motions or leaning on audience expectations, Keaton managed to be top-notch entertainment. And, of course, she was always unique, true to herself since her acting debut in the Hair stage musical up to a last screen appearance in last year's Summer Camp. 

In the spirit of celebrating Keaton, I have one little request of you…

MRS. SOFFEL (1984) Gillian Armstrong | © MGM

Ever since her unexpected passing was announced, I've been trying to carve time in between festival screenings and writing to watch a few Diane Keaton blind spots. So far, I've discovered the beginning of her Allen collaborations in Play It Again, Sam and Sleeper, the psychosexual martyrdom of Looking for Mr. Goodbar, an underrated tour de force as Mrs. Soffel, and the holiday blues of The Family Stone. I intend to catch up with The Little Drummer Girl despite its awful reviews because the idea of Keaton doing Le Carré is so conceptually odd. The TV movies On Thin Ice and Amelia Earhart – The Final Flight are also on the watchlist, as are her few directorial credits. Is there something I'm missing from Keaton's filmography? Please tell me and your fellow readers what obscure gems are worth our while, what deep cuts are essential viewing.

THE FAMILY STONE (2005) Thomas Bezucha | © Twentieth Century Fox

Some past Diane Keaton posts at The Film Experience

• Familiar Faces: Woody Allen's Cast Hierarchy
• Hit Me With Your Best Shot: "Looking for Mr. Goodbar"
• The Dramas of Diane Keaton
• Almost There: Diane Keaton in "Shoot the Moon"
• Over & Overs: "Baby Boom"
• Soundtracking: "The First Wives Club"
• The Gay Heart of "The Family Stone"
• "Book Club" Review
• "Mack & Rita" Review

BOOK CLUB (2018) Bill Holderman | Paramount Pictures