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Merry Gentleman, The
EMAILPRINTSamuel Goldwyn Pictures

Mixed or average reviews
Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 3 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie >
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)
Also On The Web: Internet Movie Database Official Studio Site
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...
The Hollywood Reporter Duane Byrge
An edgy entertainment, the movie also remarkably has the feel-good warmth of an old-time Irish film.
Read Full Review >Los Angeles Times Betsy Sharkey
A dark and lovely drama about the complications of human connections that is Michael Keaton's impressive directing debut.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Philadelphia Inquirer Steven Rea
A sly and surprisingly sublime little noir romance.
Read Full Review >Christian Science Monitor Peter Rainer
Without her (Kelly Macdonald), the generally well-acted The Merry Gentleman would descend into terminal lugubriousness.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten
Filled more with character studies than narrative intrigues, The Merry Gentleman also provides only sketchy personality details and background information.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum
This Debbie Downer of a drama is a bitter slog.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
Read Full Review >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.
