The Merry Gentleman

The Merry Gentleman (2008)

  • 64% of critics liked it
    (74 reviews)

  • 44% of users liked it
    (4,592 ratings)

Michael Keaton makes his directorial debut in this low-key story of two unlikely kindred spirits. Kate Frazier (Kelly Macdonald) is a sweet woman who has left behind an abusive husband to start her life over in Chicago. Kate lands a job as a receptionist, but one afternoon after leaving work for the… More

Play Trailer

R,
Directed By
Written By
Ron Lazzeretti
Genres
Drama
In Theaters
May 1, 2009 Wide
IDP/Samuel goldwyn Films

Critic Reviews

  • Tom Huddlestone, Time Out

    A flawed but decidedly promising first movie.

  • Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic

    Keaton builds the tension nicely. Payoffs aren't as important to him as establishing a mood, a tone (mostly bleak). Patient, at times to a fault, he allows the characters to build over time.

  • Tom Long, Detroit News

    Michael Keaton the actor should work with Michael Keaton the director more.

  • Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times

    As an actor and now as a promising first-time director, Keaton's keen instincts serve him well.

  • Desson Thomson, Washington Post

    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 all 23 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Melvin W


    Frank Logan: You find presents under a tree. I found a girl.  Kate Frazier: You must have been a very good boy.  "A man with a secret. A woman with a past." Despite its flaws, I really liked The Merry Gentleman because of its uniqueness and because it was one of the oddest… More

  • ♥˩ƳИИ &


    Cast: Michael Keaton, Kelly Macdonald, Tom Bastounes, Bobby Cannavale, Darlene Hunt, Guy Van Swearingen, William Dick, Jay Disney, Randall Jones, Debbi Burns Director: Michael Keaton Summary: Kelly Macdonald stars as a young wife who escapes an abusive marriage to begin a new… More

  • Aaron N


    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 with… More

  • Walter M


    In "The Merry Gentleman," Kate(Kelly MacDonald) has a black eye and has just started work as a receptionist. During the holidays, she spots Frank(Michael Keaton, who also directed) on a ledge. Thinking he is about to jump, she yells out, which almost does the job but he… More

  • Jeffrey M


    Reminiscent of the superior Last Lullaby, Merry Gentleman is beautifully shot, with Keaton giving a very nuanced performance. Its' biggest drawback, however, is a significant one; the pace is best described as glacially slow.

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

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