HARVEY KEITEL ACTOR REVIEW

I've never found any reason to doubt the acting skills of Harvey Keitel, and the new release, 'Lansky' in which he plays the dying Meyer Lansky does nothing to change this opinion. In fact, it enhances Keitel's standing as one of the great cinema actors of his generation. His portrayal of the legendary Jewish mobster is inch perfect. It's intelligent, measured, thoughtful and full of nuance. Keitel knows how to listen and to take us into what he's hearing, into a close up of the character's thought processes and decision making. Lansky was a clever and shrewd businessman and Keitel is a clever and shrewd actor, neither men waste much in unnecessary physical or emotional throwaway energy. Keitel is a perfect choice to play this character. His movements and reactions are like the brush strokes of a master painter whom has learned the strengths of his capabilities, knowing how to apply the appropriate weights and strokes to best portray his subject. There are, have been, and will be, many great acting performances delivered via the medium of American cinema. In my opinion, the last few years have produced two of them; Joachim Phoenix in 'Joker' and now Keitel in 'Lansky'.