🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Todd Kessler
- Genre: Drama, Romance
- Release year: 2008
- Runtime (length): 1h 35min
- IMDb rating: 7.3/10 (38K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A tennis star falls for her chemistry lab partner who’s hiding a big secret, which leads to a lot of teenage angst and a truck.
🍿 Keith: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Natalie’s Perfect World
Natalie is a high-achieving student with a bright future. She’s a tennis star with a scholarship to Duke, a yearbook editor, and has a seemingly perfect boyfriend. Her life is meticulously planned and she’s on track to achieve all her goals. Everything seems perfect, but is it truly fulfilling?

The Arrival of Keith
Keith enters Natalie’s life as her chemistry lab partner. He is the antithesis of Natalie: carefree, unpredictable, and seemingly without ambition. His unorthodox approach to life clashes with Natalie’s structured world, leading to friction and intrigue. Keith’s enigmatic personality draws Natalie in, challenging her preconceived notions.

Natalie’s World Unravels
As Natalie spends more time with Keith, her carefully constructed world begins to crumble. She starts questioning her goals and the path she’s been following. Her relationships with her boyfriend and friends become strained as she finds herself drawn to Keith’s unconventional lifestyle. Natalie’s priorities shift as she embraces spontaneity and living in the moment.

The Truth About Keith
Natalie discovers that Keith is terminally ill. This revelation explains his carefree attitude and the secrets he’s been hiding. Knowing Keith is dying, Natalie is torn between her old life and the intense connection she shares with him. She must decide how to spend their limited time together.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Natalie (Elisabeth Harnois): A driven high school senior whose life is disrupted by a mysterious and terminally ill Keith.
- Keith (Jesse McCartney): A secretive and terminally ill teenager who challenges Natalie’s carefully planned life.
- Brooke (Margo Harshman): Natalie’s close friend who offers support and a contrasting perspective on Natalie’s choices.
- Raff (Ignacio Serricchio): Natalie’s former boyfriend who represents her previous, more conventional life.
- Pete (Michael McGrady): Keith’s father, dealing with his son’s terminal illness.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Keith: “I had it all figured out, so I cut out early? Who cares? It’s probably a good thing. Life sucks, anyway. Then I met you, and it got weird.” – Keith explains how Natalie changed his perspective on his life.
- Keith: “So all in all, I’d say you’re the worst thing that’s ever happened to me. Goodbye, partner.” – Keith says this sarcastically in the airport scene to Natalie as a way to express his love and the pain he feels.
- Natalie: “The sky is the limit.” – Natalie tells Keith that anything is possible and Keith should follow his dreams.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Keith Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching ‘Keith’ for the first time and being completely caught off guard. It started off like your typical teen romance, but then it took this dark turn that really got to me. I was so invested in Natalie’s journey and how Keith just turned her world upside down. The scene at the airport? Total sob fest. It’s one of those movies that sticks with you long after the credits roll. I highly recommend it!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of teen dramas”
- “Viewers who enjoy coming-of-age stories”
- “People who like movies with emotional depth”
- “Fans of Jesse McCartney and Elisabeth Harnois”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Brief sexuality”
- “Language”
- “Terminal illness”
- “Grief”
Professional Reviews
- Indie Film Enthusiast: “While ‘Keith’ treads familiar teen drama territory, the performances elevate the material. Harnois and McCartney deliver compelling portrayals of their characters’ emotional journeys, even if the plot feels predictable at times. It’s a worthwhile watch for fans of indie romances.
- Teen Movie Reviewer: “‘Keith’ tries to be more than just your typical teen movie, and it mostly succeeds. The story is emotional and the characters are complex enough to keep you engaged. However, the ending feels a bit rushed, leaving some questions unanswered. Still, it’s a tearjerker with some heart.
Audience Reactions
The unexpected plot twists kept me guessing until the very end!: Viewers loved the emotional depth and the strong performances from the lead actors.
I bawled my eyes out during the airport scene – so raw and real!: Many appreciated that the movie wasn’t just another shallow teen romance.
Overall Consensus: A touching, if somewhat predictable, teen drama with strong performances and emotional depth that resonates with audiences.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Elisabeth Harnois is eight years older than Jesse McCartney, despite playing a high school student.”
- “The film is based on a short story by Ron Carlson.”
- “The delayed release of the movie led to anticipation and mixed expectations among viewers.”
🖥️ How to Watch Keith?
As of October 2024, ‘Keith’ is available for purchase or rental on platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Keith, you might like these similar films:
- A Walk to Remember (2002): Similar theme of young love and dealing with terminal illness, although with a different narrative approach.
- The Fault in Our Stars (2014): Modern teen romance centered around young people coping with cancer and finding love amidst their struggles.
- Me Before You (2016): Deals with similar themes of love, loss, and dealing with a partner’s medical condition, albeit with different circumstances.
🛒 Keith Related Products
- Keith [DVD]: Own the movie that started it all. Relive the emotional journey of Natalie and Keith in this DVD edition.
- Jesse McCartney – Departure (CD): Listen to the music of Jesse McCartney, an actor who played Keith. A must have for his fan.
- The Fault in Our Stars by John Green: If you loved the themes of love and loss in ‘Keith,’ you’ll appreciate this novel.
- Vintage Yellow Truck Model: A detailed replica of the iconic truck from the movie, perfect for display.
🎧 Soundtrack
Keith features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
‘Keith’ is a drama about a high school tennis star whose life changes when she’s partnered with a mysterious and carefree boy named Keith in chemistry class. She learns that he has a terminal illness and reconsiders her life and priorities.
Yes, ‘Keith’ is based on a short story by Ron Carlson. The film adapts the core themes and relationship dynamics from the story, focusing on the impact of terminal illness on young love and personal growth.
At the end of ‘Keith’, Natalie helps Keith express his true feelings at the airport. After he passes away, Natalie goes on to follow Keith’s dream by driving his truck to a car festival. This signifies her growth and embracing a more spontaneous way of life.
Jesse McCartney plays Keith in the movie. He portrays the character as carefree, enigmatic, and ultimately vulnerable.
🔥 Bonus Content
Jesse McCartney & Elisabeth Harnois talk about KEITH
Ever wondered what Jesse McCartney and Elisabeth Harnois thought about the movie ‘Keith’? Check out this short interview where they discuss the story and give you some behind-the-scenes insights. I found their perspectives super interesting, especially how they interpreted their characters!
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