Review of The Merry Gentleman (2008) by Aaron N — 03 May 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 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.