Michael Keaton: 5 Awesome Performances And 5 That Sucked

4. Raymond "Ray" Nicolette - Jackie Brown (1997)

Keaton's played a few law enforcements types in his time, from the larger-than-life likes of Mauch to the weirdly schmaltzy One Good Cop, where he plays NYPD Detective Artie Lewis who adopts his partner's orphaned kids when he's cut down in the line of duty. And then there's Ray Nicolette. An Elmore Leonard creation who's appeared in a handful of the crime auteur's numerous novels, Nicolette actually has the distinction of appearing in a couple of adaptations of the author's work, both times played by Keaton. The second time, in Out Of Sight, was more of a cameo. His debut in Jackie Brown is the good stuff. As ATF agent Ray Nicolette who strong arms Pam Grier's Jackie into working as a drug informant, only to wind up being hoodwinked by her, Keaton manages to walk a fine line between being a straight-laced fuddy duddy and a decent guy who has respect for a woman that's outsmarted him.