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Merry Gentleman, The

EMAILPRINTSamuel Goldwyn Pictures

Merry Gentleman, The reviews
55
7.0 User Score:

Mixed or average reviews

Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

Based on 3 votes
Read user comments
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Movie Info

Genre(s): Drama

Written by: Ron Lazzeretti

Directed by: Michael Keaton

Release Date:
Theatrical: May 1, 2009

Running Time: 110 minutes, Color

Origin: USA

Summary

RATING: R for language and some violence

Starring Michael Keaton, Kelly MacDonald, Tom Bastounes, Mike Bradecich, Debbi Burns, Bobby Cannavale, William Dick, and Guy Van Swearingen

Running away from a troubled marriage, Kate Frazier hopes to find anonymity with a new home and a new job in Chicago. Haunted by the troubling choices he has made, Frank Logan finds a kindred spirit in the younger Kate, and for a moment, the two seem destined to redeem and remake each other. But, as events unfold and the painful truth slowly emerges, Frank is forced to face the man he really is, while Kate struggles to be the stronger woman she needs to be. (Samuel Goldwyn Films)

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

90

The Hollywood Reporter Duane Byrge

An edgy entertainment, the movie also remarkably has the feel-good warmth of an old-time Irish film.

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90

Los Angeles Times Betsy Sharkey

A dark and lovely drama about the complications of human connections that is Michael Keaton's impressive directing debut.

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90

The New York Times Manohla Dargis

The film’s title, needless to say, has an ironic bite. One of the pleasures of The Merry Gentleman is Mr. Keaton's commitment to that bite, which never registers as cruel or gratuitous, just honest, weary, sad.

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88

Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea

A sly and surprisingly sublime little noir romance.

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88

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

Original, absorbing and curiously moving.

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75

Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer

Without her (Kelly Macdonald), the generally well-acted The Merry Gentleman would descend into terminal lugubriousness.

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75

ReelViews James Berardinelli

It has been argued that for characters to be three-dimensional, they must have a past, a present, and a future, not to mention an arc. The Merry Gentleman offers a counter-argument for those who would dispute this.

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70

Variety Todd McCarthy

Despite its shortcomings as a plausible, compelling story, The Merry Gentleman, Michael Keaton's directorial debut, exhibits genuine promise behind the camera.

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67

The Onion (A.V. Club) Nathan Rabin

If ever a film needed a double shot of espresso and a swift kick in the caboose, it's this one. At best, the film is hypnotic; at worst, it challenges--no, dares--audiences not to fall asleep.

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63

Chicago Tribune Michael Phillips

It's a very small film, undermined by a puttering rhythm and Pinter-worthy pauses in the second half and a resolution neither satisfyingly oblique nor conventionally pleasing.

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50

Portland Oregonian M. E. Russell

Keaton offers glimpses of a directorial gift, but this odd little piece feels like a warm-up for something more compelling.

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50

Boston Globe Ty Burr

An overly muted and cautious piece of work. Watching it is like seeing a man ease out onto the limb of a tree, constantly testing its strength.

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50

San Francisco Chronicle Peter Hartlaub

A movie that doesn't quite have enough romance, thriller or revenge-fantasy elements to qualify for any of those genres. More than anything, it's a celebration of uncomfortable silences. The awkward moments in this movie far outweigh the joyful or tragic ones.

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40

Village Voice Nicolas Rapold

Keaton, who took over directing duties from ill-stricken screenwriter Ron Lazzeretti before shooting started, inherited a stock-still story of two lonely souls and never develops their rapport.

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40

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

Filled more with character studies than narrative intrigues, The Merry Gentleman also provides only sketchy personality details and background information.

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38

New York Post Kyle Smith

The potential for suspense is dropped (there's a subplot about the receptionist's flight from her violent husband, but he appears in only a couple of scenes) in favor of lots of hushed interludes in which nothing happens.

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33

Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

This Debbie Downer of a drama is a bitter slog.

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30

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern

Ms. Macdonald works modest wonders within these constraints -- she's a lovely actress, and a skilled one -- but too much is asked of her; Kate's innocence finally wilts beneath the camera's fixed gaze.

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30

Washington Post Desson Thomson

It's too bad the filmmakers didn't take a breath, look at the rushes and see what a comedic gem they had. With just a few tweaks, The Merry Gentleman could have made a wickedly funny parody of the over-earnest, lyrically hard-edged indie movie. But it's too late for do-overs.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this movie is 7.0 (out of 10) based on 3 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Jay H. gave it a7:
Impressive direction by Michael Keaton, very thoughtful and deep. The leisurely pacing is a plus for this movie. The performances are impressive, especially Kelly MacDonald. Nicely photographed, good score. A fine and well written film.

Dave B. gave it an8:
Outstanding little movie. Nicely understated with credible storyline and excellent low-key performances.

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