Kelly Macdonald, Darlene Hunt, Randall Jones

A woman leaves an abusive relationship to begin a new life in a new city, where she forms an unlikely and ironic relationship with a suicidal hit man (unbeknownst to her). Enter a worn, alcoholic dete...( read more  read more... )ctive to form the third party in a very unusual triangle as this story begins to unfold.

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44% liked it

2,228 ratings

Critics

66% liked it

50 critics

R, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Michael Keaton

Release Date: May 1, 2009

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DVD Release Date: November 10, 2009

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Stats: 135 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (135)


  • November 15, 2009
    "The Merry Gentleman", on paper, sounds unbearably familiar - a suicidal hitman. A beautiful girl with a haunted past. Sprinkle in some hefty religious symbolism. And, for the first fifteen minutes or so, you'll likely be thinking "what have I gotten myself into?" Gradually, howe...( read more)ver, through a great deal of patience and a quiet tenderness, "The Merry Gentleman" establishes itself as more than a serviceable character study - one that neglects convention more than it lives up to it.

    The film marks the directorial debut of Michael Keaton (yes, that Michael Keaton). Originally attached as the lead, Keaton found himself in the director's chair after screenwriter Ron Lazzeretti fell ill. He's pulling double-duty, also playing one of the film's leads, and as a director Keaton gets more of a performance out of himself than we've seen in a long time.

    A lonely Chicagoan, Kate Frazier (Kelly Macdonald), has just fled an abusive husband. One night, after leaving the office where she works as a receptionist, she spots a man on top of a building. She, assuming he will jump, yells. He, startled, stumbles back to safety. The next day, she learns that a sniper had shot a man that same night, presumably from the same rooftop. Not long after, she meets a suspicious stranger with a brutal cough, Frank Logan (Michael Keaton).

    Eventually, as we can only expect, Kate and Frank develop a friendship. The beauty of this relationship, however, is that Keaton never opts to present this material with any sort of sexual tension. It's a gentle, innocent friendship - Kate, lonely herself, has landed a sad puppy in her lap. Meanwhile, the officer working on Kate's case (Tom Bastounes) decides to give her a call - personal matters, not business.

    "The Merry Gentleman" is elevated by it's terrific performers. Alongside the great work by the three leads (Macdonald in particular), Bobby Canavale shows up for a small, but memorable scene.

    The dialogue has a tendency to be far too obvious, and the film has a tonal struggle balancing bleak existentialism with comedy, but "The Merry Gentleman" is a largely inoffensive effort. Although Keaton just happened into the director's seat, hopefully he returns to it willingly in the near future.
  • May 4, 2009
    Frank Logan: I found a girl under a Christmas tree.

    I managed to catch a commercial for this film randomly and saw a chance to support Michael Keaton at the theater. Not only does he star in this little indie film, but he served as director as well. Its a drama concerning a man ...( read more)with a secret profession and a woman with a dark past finding each other.

    Keaton plays Frank Logan, a suicidal hit man with a nasty cough. The film is set in the big city during Christmas season, and its very apparent that Frank doesn't enjoy his life. Frank's activities bring him into the life of Kate, played by Kelly Macdonald and using her Scottish accent for a change, a woman new to the city with a black eye.

    One night, Kate spots a man about to possibly jump from the top of a building. She screams, he doesn't. The next day a couple of detectives question her about a murder that took place in her building, opposite the one with the man on the roof. Soon after that, Kate and Frank stumble upon each other, eventually forming a relationship of sorts.

    The story turns into a sort of love triangle between these two characters and a detective. Its a different kind of drama that applies the awkwardness of human interaction with a deadly streak underneath it all. The movie very much downplays any thriller aspects that could emerge from Frank's profession. Instead, its a slow burn that applies real human drama to the situations.

    The movie is very well made as well as offbeat, but its limited opening is certainly a sign that this movie wont be for everyone. That being said, I'm a fan of Michael Keaton and it would be nice to see him get larger film roles in the future. Both he and Macdonald are great in this film.

    Kate Frazier: You may be the sweetest man I've ever met.
  • November 19, 2009
    I am a HUGE Michael Keaton fan and have always loved his work. This movie is a bit depressing, but worth renting.
  • November 17, 2009
    just want to know and see the what end the relationship
  • November 15, 2009
    i think it's exciting
  • November 14, 2009
    nice movie,and i want to see it.
  • November 14, 2009
    it looks very interesting
  • November 13, 2009
    I would want to enjoy this move
  • November 13, 2009
    no comment until i see it
  • November 12, 2009
    Only Sexsual films ie. XXX

Critic Reviews


June 11, 2009
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

A sly and surprisingly sublime little noir romance, which marks the directing debut of Michael Keaton. full review

May 7, 2009
Ty Burr, Boston Globe

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. full review

May 1, 2009
Kyle Smith, New York Post

The potential for suspense is dropped in favor of lots of hushed interludes in which nothing happens. full review

April 30, 2009
Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

The director's vision has dictated his acting choices, and that vision has been clouded by Ron Lazzaretti's sententious script. full review

April 30, 2009
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The Merry Gentleman is original, absorbing and curiously moving in ways that are far from expected. full review

View more The Merry Gentleman reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

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