The Merry Gentleman

The Merry Gentleman | reviews, news & interviews

The Merry Gentleman

Tidings of comfort and joy? Michael Keaton's curious Christmas movie

by Sheila JohnstonThursday, 03 December 2009

Lost souls: Michael Keaton and Kelly Macdonald find salvation, of sorts

It has hardly been a vintage year for Christmas movies so far (click here and here to read our respective reviews of Nativity! and A Christmas Carol). But Michael Keaton's absorbing first film as director, in which he also stars, finally nails the true spirit of the festive season: it is about a suicidal hitman.

Explore topics

Share this article

more Film

Powell and Pressburger: In Prospero's Room A magical day at Derek Jarman’s Dungeness cottage, dancing with the ghosts of Shakespeare, Powell and Pressburger

Eileen review - a dank fairytale film noir A naive prison worker crushes on a chic colleague in William Oldroyd's disturbing thriller

Fallen Leaves review - deliciously dry Finnish romcom Aki Kaurismaki returns to the cinema with a touching tale of love

Queendom review - an LGBTQ+ performance artist takes to the streets of Moscow in protest Startlingly beautiful costumes designed to challenge the authorities

Blu-ray: King and Country The class war rears its ugly head on the Western Front in Joseph Losey's bleak classic

The Eternal Daughter review - tricksy ghost story with a poignant emotional core Tilda Swinton (and her dog) excel in Joanna Hogg's latest

Maestro review - the infinite variety of Leonard Bernstein The music's well chosen, but Carey Mulligan shines brightest as Bernstein's wife Felicia

Lost in the Night review - hunting a mother's killer Avengers and not many angels in this grim Mexican mystery

A Stitch in Time review - feelgood Aussie indie with an undernourished script An elderly woman's pursuit of lost dreams is given a light-touch treatment