The portrayal of an alcoholic's family in this movie is so real! A variety of coping mechanisms of different family members are shown. And as I know some people who lived through a similar experience of living with an alcoholic I can say these are actually pretty real ways people behave in a situation like this. The film has a lot to say even today when alcoholism is considered a problem beyond the moral weakness.

As for Keanu, I think he comes across as a very believable character, especially when the father dies and he does not know what to do or at the very end. Brilliant!