The Merry Gentleman

R

Released May 1, 2009

1 hr. 36 min.

Drama

List

65%

77 Reviews

Tomatometer

50%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

On the run from an abusive husband, Kate Frazier (Kelly Macdonald) settles in Chicago in search of a better life. She meets Frank Logan (Michael Keaton), a man who is tormented by a dark secret. The two are kindred spirits, and a tentative friendship forms. But, as events unfold, Frank is forced to confront his past, while Kate struggles to find the strength she needs to stand on her own.

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Critics Consensus

Michael Keaton's directorial debut, The Merry Gentleman, is a slow character study aided greatly by the performances of Keaton and Kelly MacDonald.

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A.L.Jude P

Excellent but the end results made a lame spot.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/18/23

Full Review

Jim S

A great movie. 'Hard to like'?!? Who thinks so? Not someone who can pay attention for longer than five seconds. This is one Michael Keaton's best performances. And that is a considerable standard. He directs this movie and is wise and generous enough to let Kathy Riley be the center of gravity. Keaton is so quiet, so disciplined in his acting style for this character that, e.g., though he's present on screen from the first shot, he doesn't say a word of dialogue until twenty two minutes into the film. This is a character-driven story about people, not predictable stereotypes. Keaton never gets in-your-face about it, yet as the story progresses, it may occur to the viewer that the good guys are pretty bad and the bad guy has a lot of good in him. It's subtle, nobody really changes; it's not a romantic melodrama. This a thoughtful piece, expertly executed, by one the most intelligent actors alive. If it's "hard to like," that's on you.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/29/23

Full Review

Jack O

My kind of movie, about people, and Kelly MacDonald is not to be missed

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

08/03/23

Full Review

steve d

An effective thriller because of Michael Keaton and his really strong performance.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

4.5 rounded to 5 stars. Limited physical dialogue compared with all the nuances of the unsaid. Great acting, and a great directorial debut for Keaton.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

For the life of me, I can't figure out why this film gets so little respect. I thought both Keaton and Macdonald were very good. I guess the mediocre reviews and ratings were because its pace was too slow for most viewers. Didn't bother me at all. Pretty good directorial debut for Keaton. Too bad that was his only work on the other side of the camera.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

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Michael Keaton

Director

Kelly Macdonald

Kate Frazier

Michael Keaton

Frank Logan

Tom Bastounes

Murcheson

Bobby Cannavale

Michael

Darlene Hunt

Diane

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Hank Sartin

Time Out

Rated: 3/5

Nov 24, 2011

Full Review

Angie Errigo

Empire Magazine

Despite memorable scenes, the narrative's aim is never clear: is this a crime drama, dark comedy or a May-December romance?

Rated: 2/5

Dec 4, 2009

Full Review

Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

The film never quite convinces as anything other than a puff-piece for Keaton, but it is bolstered by another deeply empathetic turn from Macdonald.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 4, 2009

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Kelly Macdonald's performance is one of understated beauty.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 22, 2021

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

An impressive piece for veteran actor Michael Keaton's directorial debut.

Rated: 7/10

Nov 29, 2020

Full Review

Nikki Baughan

Roll Credits

It's a low-key film, sustained primarily through MacDonald's sweet, earnest performance and Keaton's stillness.

Rated: 3/5

Oct 25, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

On the run from an abusive husband, Kate Frazier (Kelly Macdonald) settles in Chicago in search of a better life. She meets Frank Logan (Michael Keaton), a man who is tormented by a dark secret. The two are kindred spirits, and a tentative friendship forms. But, as events unfold, Frank is forced to confront his past, while Kate struggles to find the strength she needs to stand on her own.

Director: Michael Keaton
Executive Producer: Paul J. Duggan
Screenwriter: Ron Lazzeretti
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co: Southwater Pictures
Rating: R (Language|Some Violence)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 1, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 6, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $346.3K

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