Movie Review

The Merry Gentlemen (2009)

EW's GRADE
D+

Details Limited Releases: Apr 01, 2009, May 01, 2009; Rated: R; Length: 96 Minutes; Genre: Drama; With: Michael Keaton and Kelly Macdonald

Hitman: Don\'t mess with Michael Keaton | Michael Keaton
Image credit: Matt Dinerstein
Hitman: Don't mess with Michael Keaton

An abused young wife (Macdonald, playing very bruised-but-winsome) meets up with a middle-aged hitman (Keaton, who also makes his directorial debut), and the two share their taciturn loneliness in The Merry Gentlemen. Meanwhile, the camera lingers on overcomposed shots signifying ''urban decay,'' ''human alienation,'' ''existential blues,'' etc. Set during a joyless Chicago Christmas (hence the carol-like title), this Debbie Downer of a drama is a bitter slog. But there's unintentional humor when Bobby Cannavale, as the abusive husband, finds religious salvation in a hysteria-prone monologue that must have been fun 
 to practice in front of friends. D+

Originally posted May 08, 2009 Published in issue #1046 May 08, 2009 Order article reprints

Add your comment

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.

500 characters remaining
Advertisement