The Merry Gentleman DVD with Michael Keaton, Kelly Macdonald, Tom Bastounes (R) +Movie Reviews

A confused yet moderately entertaining Christmas noir.

Russell Fanelli | Longmeadow, MA USA | 10/16/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The title of The Merry Gentleman, Michael Keaton's directorial debut, comes from the beginning of the film when hitman Keaton helps secretary Kelly MacDonald, who has fallen under a Christmas Tree she is trying to bring into her apartment. Earlier, MacDonald saw Keaton standing on the ledge of a building across from her office. Keaton had just made a "hit" and was contemplating suicide. It turns out that Keaton is a tailor who kills people on the side and hates himself for it. Does he show up at MacDonald's door to kill her because she might be able to identify him? After helping her bring her tree into her apartment, he walks away, only to return the next day to visit her. Unfortunately, he has pneumonia and falls senseless the ground outside her apartment. MacDonald finds him, gets him to the hospital, and a beautiful friendship is born -- on Christmas Day, no less.

All this described action takes place in the first few minutes of the movie. The rest of the film explores the relationship of Keaton and MacDonald, and it is well done. If the film doesn't make much sense, we don't care because we are genuinely interested in what is going to happen to this odd couple. The police are after Keaton and MacDonald's abusive husband is after her. Will the police catch Keaton and will MacDonald's husband find her? We care about the answers to these questions and watch with some interest as the plot plays out.

As mentioned in the beginning of this review, this film is Michael Keaton's directorial debut. He directs his cast, particularly MacDonald, reasonably well, but the story is confusing, particularly his own role as hitman. All the characters related to the hitman part of the story are given marginal status in the film. They appear, disappear, and are forgotten. We have no idea what motivates Keaton and this is a problem. How are we to understand his behavior towards MacDonald? He kills people mercilessly, yet he is kind and caring toward MacDonald.

I have been careful to avoid mentioning any spoilers in this review. I recommend the film because the Keaton/MacDonald story is genuinely interesting and well done. At the very end the viewer can decide what sense it all makes. I must admit confusion and some slight disappointment."

Fear, hope and quiet companionship.

J. Kucinski | 11/11/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A quiet, powerful story of two people with different cases of post-traumatic stress. One is a suicidal killer, the other a battered wife who is afraid to trust anyone.
Frank Logan (Michael Keaton) is really good at being a hitman and is also an excellent tailor with his own store.
Frank is conflicted: think "Gross Point Blank" middle aged and without comedy.
He also methodically kills any possible witnesses. Frank's hit jobs are not at all emotional, they are done with a sense of workmanship and inevitability. Even one of Frank's victims said he was wondering when he would finally come.
Frank meets Kate Frazier (Kelly Macdonald) in person after she saw him from afar trying to commit suicide after a technically well executed hit job. It's likely he has come to kill her but he collapses outside her door with pneumonia. She takes him to the hospital and then spends Christmas day with him there.
Kate has been trying her best to stay away from prodding questions and to remain alone because she has been badly beaten by her policeman husband and has left him to start a new, safer life.
Kate doesn't realize that Frank is the hitman. He is at least as alienated and closed off as she is and she somehow feels some safety in his quiet presence. He asks no prying questions and seems as alone in the world as she is. They bond over little unspoken kindnesses and events of everyday life.
Frank and Kate slowly develop a solid companionship together. He is quietly sensitive to her and tries to take care of her.
Kate's husband finds her and terrifies her again. Unfortunately for him, Frank finds out.
The apparent suicide of Kate's husband brings unwanted attention to Frank from the police. A policeman who has been interested in Kate (without success) informs her that Frank is probably the hitman and likely also killed her husband.
Frank must leave and he does leave,as much for her as himself. But he does not kill himself or anyone else as he leaves.
The Merry Gentleman
"

Low key hitman melodrama, a little holiday thrown in

Steve Kuehl | Ben Lomond, CA | 11/12/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Michael Keaton has one of the best hit man faces out there, and I enjoyed watching this slow paced tale unfold and in the end, embrace a certain ambiguity.

The story follows the unlikely crossing of paths between a professional hitter and a Scottish secretary who inadvertently sees Keaton after he has sniped someone. We never get too much background on him, nor why he does anything that he does, but we do get a relationship development theme. What made this stand out was the writing regarding the police, they were shown as actually figuring out the mysteries surrounding the story (instead of them being oblivious and looking dumb). Not the most conclusive ending for the characters, but I liked it.

The DVD clarity is good and the sound is adequate; the supplement is a 16 minute making-of that had some good behind the scenes about Keaton's thought process on both sides of the camera. 3.5 for the film and DVD quality, .5 for the supplement."

A Wonderful Film That Deserves Your Support

Kenton Couch | Overland Park, Kansas | 03/26/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Merry Gentleman" is a fine movie that deserves your support. It has a well-wrought, intelligent script you haven't seen before filled with complex, interesting characters. And, as the story unfolds, you are given glimpses "like flickering candles" into their personalities. Shown only enough to care, be enthralled, and glean some understanding, you are then left to come to your own conclusions about each character's actions and inner motivations. The effect is a mysterious, enigmatic story that mystifies and thoroughly entertains. In short, "The Merry Gentleman" makes you feel and makes you think, and isn't that what a fine film should do?
Michael Keaton, who also plays a contract killer in the film, makes his directorial debut with this production. He is to be commended for choosing such a fine script and so beautifully bringing it to life. As director, he seems totally focused on doing justice to the characters and the story. It is a fine first film, and I hope there will be many more. It is also to his credit that he chose Kelly Macdonald for the film's leading role.
Ms. Macdonald's performance is a study in what fine acting should be. Her character has wonderful internal integrity and evokes genuine empathy. She doesn't miss a beat in the film, and her sure, unaffected mastery of the role makes it look easy. Well, it isn't easy, and her work is of the highest order. Include Mr. Keaton's fine acting and directing and the outstanding work of fellow actors such as Tom Bastounes, Guy Van Swearingen, Mike Bradecich, Debbie Burns, Darlene Hunt, and others; and you have great film you won't forget and will want to watch again.
As you can tell, I liked this film! I liked it because I like dedication to the art of making the best film one can. "The Merry Gentleman" strives to be the best film it can be because of the care and love the director, cast, and crew put into it. Thanks for a fine film.
"

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