The unique actor, considered by many to be 'lonely', experienced two very difficult episodes.
Keanu Reeves is not exactly the most versatile actor in Hollywood, but he is one of the most beloved. His roles in productions such as 'Bill and Ted's Amazing Adventure', 'Maximum Speed', 'John Wick' and -could not miss- 'The Matrix' has earned him the appreciation of the public and film critics.
The actor is back in the 'public arena' thanks to the premiere of the fourth installment of 'Matrix'. The saga, which narrates the awakening of humans who managed to get out of the lethargy imposed by a superior alien race, was more than fifteen years without major news.
Reeves' return in the role of 'Neo' was applauded by 'Matrix' fans. The new film also brings back some of the most iconic characters in the franchise. However, except for 'Neo' and 'Trinity', the other main roles are played by new actors -there are not, for example, Laurence Fishburne as the remembered 'Morpheus' or Hugo Weaving as 'Agent Smith'—.
Many Internet users recently remembered the life and work of Reeves and dusted off a few stories that, for some followers of the actor, mark his taciturn and lonely character. He is the legend of being a "humble" celebrity who goes to the sets by public transport and eats anywhere without having to go to prestigious restaurants or exclusive places on the Hollywood scene.
There is some truth to this, but why did he acquire the reputation of having a 'dark past' that saddens and determines him?
The loss of a daughter and her separation
Over the years there has been much speculation about Keanu Reeves' private life. There was talk of the actor's childhood - classifying it as 'hard' - and of the attacks of adolescence that took him from sports to the sets.
It is known, for example, that Reeves entered the artistic scene after several frustrations in his career as an athlete: he was part of an ice hockey team.
His first steps in acting were promising and sooner than later he established himself as a renowned young actor. This led him to be the protagonist of 'Matrix', a production with which he made the expected 'boom' – an explosion that was already seen coming after his outstanding performance with Sandra Bullock in 'Maximum speed'—.
At that time his love life was also on the right track: he had a solid relationship with his colleague Jennifer Syme and they were very close to having a daughter.
Unfortunately, the delivery had complications and the little girl was born dead. This fact impacted the couple: both Syme and Reeves relapsed into critical episodes of depression. Their differences, say experts in the world of entertainment, sharpened in such a way that, with no alternative, with less and less desire to continue, they parted ways.
A second chance that never came
Specialized portals agree that the time of separation, paradoxically, served to unite them a little more. Syme and Reeves tried to strengthen the relationship even if they were not completely together. They wanted, as far as possible, perhaps expected, to remain good friends.
And everything was going well.
Until April 2001.
According to the review of several portals, Syme was leaving a party at Marilyn Manson's house when she, driving on the road, had an accident and died.
That blunt blow, that crack in Reeves' soul, was only 'sealed'—albeit halfway and even though the pain was as present as the first moment he knew he would never see Syme again—by the project of ' Matrix'. Reeves was in mourning for a while, but managed to compose himself as best he could to embody 'Neo' in the last two installments of what was a trilogy at the time.
The two films were released in 2003. From that moment on, for lovers of the world of entertainment, the prestige obtained by Reeves did not match his sad character.
Several fans who "fell in love" with "Neo" did not know the recent story behind the actor's silence. From his withdrawn character. From his downcast gaze. From the unexpected sighs of him.
On at least three occasions after the success of 'Matrix', the actor had to go out and deny his own death. He too faced stalkers and paparazzi.
Embodying 'Neo', although he immortalized him, was about to take away any other possibility of emergence. He was about to become a one-role actor.
Until the story of a man who loses his dog and seeks revenge, again paradoxically, saved his career.
Keanu Reeves. Viajero cotidiano en el metro pic.twitter.com/zbDhVBXo8R
— Gustavo Vela (@GustavoVela71) February 4, 2018
Although he had previously participated in one or another production – in ‘Constantine’, the Reeves of the cameras showed the same coldness as the one in real life – it was with ‘John Wick’, in 2014, that he found the ideal role. Many experts agree that the trilogy of films of this hit man matched his characteristics and qualities.
In fact, the new look of 'Neo' is reminiscent of 'John Wick'.
The new installment of 'Matrix' shows that 'Neo' and 'Trinity' are trapped in a kind of eternal repetition of events. Uniting the pieces of memories, the characters will have to face, for the last time -and perhaps forever-, their destiny.
