The Merry Gentleman

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The Merry Gentleman

R

2009

1h 36m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

77 Reviews

51%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

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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Angie Errigo

Empire Magazine

Dec 4, 2009

2/5

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

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Dec 4, 2009

2/5

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.

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Xan Brooks

Guardian

Dec 4, 2009

2/5

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

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Michael Leader

Den of Geek

May 7, 2024

3/5

While Keaton may have retreated from Burtonland to the world of indie film production, he has come back bearing The Merry Gentleman, a pleasant, if ultimately a little uninspiring, gem.

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Sep 22, 2021

3/4

Kelly Macdonald's performance is one of understated beauty.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Nov 29, 2020

7/10

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

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Michael A

@Kinich61 Jul 14, 2026

I don't understand some of the low scores. Great screenplay, direction by Keaton, and acting.

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Jelisije J

@jjosifovic Dec 23, 2025

The film took less than two months to film and its so obvious because their is little to any substance that can be provided to even call this a film. This film plot can be wrapped up in 30 minutes and the only reason why this film isn't completely unwatchable to me is because I live near where they filmed in Chicago.

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Ted O

@RT24835745 Oct 20, 2025

Tedious. Atrocius, mostly unbelievable plot. Bad dialogue. Stuck it out. So the writer(s?) don't care for cops, but they're still human, or so the movie implied. The ending was???????? Don't waste your time as i have done.

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Mark S

@RT40202855 Aug 5, 2025

I found Kelly Macdonald so utterly annoying as well as being unbelievable. Who could have thought she would be convincing? Whatever Keaton was going for, it didn't come off.

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nick s

@Nick_S Mar 3, 2025

Well filmed on a technical level. The acting was good too. But I didn't find the plot particularly engaging. It was more of a character study than a carefully crafted story.

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June C

@RT25842579 Dec 31, 2024

I enjoyed this slow moving movie. Great acting from all involved. Definitely worth a watch which proves Rotten Tomatoes isn't ALWAYS accurate.

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Michael Keaton

Director

Kelly Macdonald

Kate Frazier

Michael Keaton

Frank Logan

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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
Producer: Tom Bastounes, Ron Lazzeretti, Steven A. Jones
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
Runtime: 1h 36m

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