Michael Keaton doesn't have to prove anymore that he can act and not just act up. But for "My Life," he tackled the most dramatic role of his career.
Keaton portrays a driven Los Angeles public-relations man who learns he's dying of cancer soon after his wife, played by Nicole Kidman, finds out she's pregnant.As Keaton videotapes his life for his unborn son, the film becomes a sobering, stirring story of coming to terms with one's mortality.
"It was a hard movie to make," said Keaton, 41, looking trim and relaxed in blue jeans, a white T-shirt and tennis shoes and still showing some of the 17-pound weight loss he underwent for the part.
"This guy is probably the closest to me of any character I've played," Keaton said. "But I'm not a workaholic father who'd neglect his child."
Keaton, divorced from actress Caroline McWilliams, is more enthusiastic about their 10-year-old son, Sean, than about his movies.
"I give him everything," Keaton said. "I buy him radios. I bought him a car. I bought him a small country."
Thanks to "Batman" and "Batman Returns," Keaton could almost afford it. Playing the comic-book hero has brought the actor his biggest success. As for a third "Batman" turn, he said, "Yeah, maybe. Probably. But not for sure."
Some "Batman" fans cringed when Keaton got the role since he was known largely as a comic in movies such as "Night Shift," "Mr. Mom" and "Beetlejuice." But Keaton has also starred in the stark "Clean and Sober," a story of addiction. And he has had other dramatic roles in "Pacific Heights," "One Good Cop" and "Touch and Go."
Next up is "The Paper," a comedy-drama about a newspaper, directed by Ron Howard. Due in March, it also stars Robert Duvall, Glenn Close and Marisa Tomei. The movie was shot in New York, which meant rare on-location work for Keaton.
"I've turned a lot of location movies down, so I wouldn't be away from home," he said. "I can come home on weekends, but it adds a lot of strain. I'd rather work in L.A."
Still, he thinks actors are lucky - "the time you get to spend with your kid is often more than average guys."
Like his character in "My Life," Keaton likes to make videotapes. He tapes his son as well as other family members and friends.
A Pittsburgh native, Keaton lost his father when he was in his early 20s but said he's had few other personal experiences with death.
"I ended up learning from this movie," he said. "I got real clear on how fortunate I am and how fast life happens."
But he won't let his son see the film.
"Not now. Not yet," Keaton said. "Someday, sure. But he's too young now. We've talked about it, and he's very cool about it."
Keaton hopes people will understand that "My Life" "is about life, not death."
"For some people it will be tough to watch. But I found it very moving. In an odd way, it's a feel-good movie. It's very positive. And I think people who have gone through such things will love it."