| Original Score: 3/5 | Nov 24, 2011

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

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 4, 2009

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.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 4, 2009

[Michael Keaton is] the pained and taciturn star of a pained and taciturn drama.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Dec 4, 2009

In a word: awful.

| Original Score: 1/5 | Dec 4, 2009

Keaton the director wisely draws a leaf from Clint Eastwood's book. Keeping the framing neat, his style is the kind of unobtrusive classical filmmaking that is a dying breed in contemporary Hollywood.

Full Review | Dec 4, 2009

We are never quite sure whether this is a thriller or a dark romance, but Keaton conjures up some excellent scenes and allows Macdonald the chance to shine.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 4, 2009

Keaton is good, McDonald with her spooky equanimity and still-waters profundity even better. Sartre's Huis Clos? Forget that. This is hell, as moodily atmospheric as low-budget screen infernos get.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 4, 2009

Michael Keaton's directorial debut is a low-key character study which just about survives its odd shifts of tone.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Dec 4, 2009

Filled more with character studies than narrative intrigues, The Merry Gentleman also provides only sketchy personality details and background information.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 17, 2009

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.

| Original Score: 3.5/5 | Jul 16, 2009

Michael Keaton the actor should work with Michael Keaton the director more.

| Original Score: B+ | Jul 10, 2009

As an actor and now as a promising first-time director, Keaton's keen instincts serve him well.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 19, 2009

Everything happens believably and with precision even when the script pushes credulity to the breaking point. It is a movie I think audience's will warm to, and as first film's go Keaton's effort is a solid success.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 18, 2009

That this gloomy movie partly succeeds is a credit to the sharp dialogue, the fine cast and the directing debut of a reluctant star.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 17, 2009

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.

| Jun 12, 2009

A sly and surprisingly sublime little noir romance, which marks the directing debut of Michael Keaton.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jun 11, 2009

A movie that doesn't quite have enough romance, thriller or revenge-fantasy elements to qualify for any of those genres.

| Original Score: 2/4 | May 8, 2009

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.

| Original Score: 2/4 | May 7, 2009

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.

| Original Score: B | May 4, 2009