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The Merry Gentleman
Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 19
  3. Negative: 4 out of 19
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  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Duane Byrge
    90
    An edgy entertainment, the movie also remarkably has the feel-good warmth of an old-time Irish film.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Betsy Sharkey
    90
    A dark and lovely drama about the complications of human connections that is Michael Keaton's impressive directing debut.
  3. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Manohla Dargis
    90
    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.
  4. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    88
    Original, absorbing and curiously moving.
  5. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Steven Rea
    88
    A sly and surprisingly sublime little noir romance.
  6. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    75
    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.
  7. Christian Science Monitor
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    75
    Without her (Kelly Macdonald), the generally well-acted The Merry Gentleman would descend into terminal lugubriousness.
  8. Variety
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    70
    Despite its shortcomings as a plausible, compelling story, The Merry Gentleman, Michael Keaton's directorial debut, exhibits genuine promise behind the camera.
  9. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Nathan Rabin
    67
    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.
  10. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    63
    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.
  11. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Peter Hartlaub
    50
    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.
  12. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    50
    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.
  13. Portland Oregonian
    Reviewed by: M. E. Russell
    50
    Keaton offers glimpses of a directorial gift, but this odd little piece feels like a warm-up for something more compelling.
  14. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marjorie Baumgarten
    40
    Filled more with character studies than narrative intrigues, The Merry Gentleman also provides only sketchy personality details and background information.
  15. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Nicolas Rapold
    40
    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.
  16. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    38
    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.
  17. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    33
    This Debbie Downer of a drama is a bitter slog.
  18. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Joe Morgenstern
    30
    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.
  19. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Desson Thomson
    30
    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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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.3 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 6 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. JayH.
    7
    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.… Full Review »
  2. DaveB.
    8
    Outstanding little movie. Nicely understated with credible storyline and excellent low-key performances.
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