The Merry Gentleman 2008

Critics score:
63 / 100

Reviews provided by RottenTomatoes

Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies: A lot goes on in this film without much being said, a credit to Keaton, who shoots it deliberately and thoughtfully, in a film demonstrating there should be a lot more work on both sides of the camera ahead for Michael Keaton. Read more

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune: Even if this particular story has trouble coalescing, The Merry Gentleman serves as a calling card for (director Michael) Keaton's next one. I hope there is a next one. Read more

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. Read more

Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times: As an actor and now as a promising first-time director, Keaton's keen instincts serve him well. Read more

Nathan Rabin, AV Club: Gentleman is a screamingly quiet film distinguished by a haunting score and terrific lead performances. Read more

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. Read more

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. Read more

Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times: A dark and lovely drama about the complications of human connections that is Michael Keaton's impressive directing debut. Read more

Peter Hartlaub, Houston Chronicle: A movie that doesn't quite have enough romance, thriller or revenge-fantasy elements to qualify for any of those genres. Read more

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor: In his uneven directorial debut The Merry Gentleman, Michael Keaton plays a distinctly unmerry Chicago hit man named Frank Logan who falls for a mousy receptionist, Kate Frazier (Kelly Macdonald), on the run from an abusive cop husband. Read more

Tom Long, Detroit News: Michael Keaton the actor should work with Michael Keaton the director more. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: Set during a joyless Chicago Christmas (hence the carol-like title), this Debbie Downer of a drama is a bitter slog. Read more

Amy Nicholson, I.E. Weekly: We're always aware of watching characters--not people--languish through the usual indie ennui. Read more

Kyle Smith, New York Post: The potential for suspense is dropped in favor of lots of hushed interludes in which nothing happens. Read more

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer: A sly and surprisingly sublime little noir romance, which marks the directing debut of Michael Keaton. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: Anchoring the film, which is driven more by characters than plot, are fine performances by Keaton and Kelly Macdonald and a screenplay in which the pauses between words are as meaningful as the words themselves. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: The Merry Gentleman is original, absorbing and curiously moving in ways that are far from expected. Read more

Joe Williams, St. Louis Post-Dispatch: That this gloomy movie partly succeeds is a credit to the sharp dialogue, the fine cast and the directing debut of a reluctant star. Read more

Hank Sartin, Time Out: Read more

Tom Huddlestone, Time Out: A flawed but decidedly promising first movie. Read more

Todd McCarthy, Variety: [Star Kelly McDonald is] one of those rare, quicksilver actresses whose natural qualities invest everything she does with warmth, integrity, innate goodness and automatic interest. Read more

Nicolas Rapold, Village Voice: The repetitive material hobbles the actor's energies. Read more

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 more