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[LastBlog]

Combining great characters, superb acting and a noir-like morality play by Ron Lazzeretti, Michael Keaton makes an impressive first appearance in the director's chair with "The Merry Gentleman".

The always intriguing Kelly Macdonald stars as Kate Frazier, a woman with a mysterious past who seems to be briskly running away from it hiding in the big city. Michael Keaton is the oddball Frank Logan, a coldblooded assassin for hire who also seems to have run out of time in his deadly profession. When Kate witnesses Frank standing on a ledge, perhaps thinking of jumping, it begins a chain of events that becomes life altering.

Frank and Kate meet again during the Christmas season, and it is this "merry gentleman" that comes into her life, both unaware that they have encountered each other before. In the meantime, a police detective (Tom Bastounes) is on the trail of the assassin and pursues Kate as the eyewitness link toward solving the case. It's too bad the cop is also falling in love with this primary connection.

Keaton uses a nicely choreographed point-of-view in creating the exposition. There are several intuitive camera moves that heighten the sense of dread without appearing too showy. His ensemble cast are also hitting all the high notes in their character interpretations. Bastounes is letter perfect in conveying both his cop instincts and sad-sack vulnerability. Bobby Cannavale again threatens to steal the movie with a small but essential role.

But it is the morality play itself that takes center stage. The characters all have desperate secrets and their eventual revelations of those private burdens are more damaging than healing. Keaton builds a tension that becomes almost unbearable as all of the players have their emotional needles buried in the red zone by the film's culmination.

Except for a questionable confrontation scene between Frank and Kate in the last act, this is a taunt and well-done human tragedy that Keaton guides with a sure hand.

The original Batman has a new identity.
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For more Last Blog in Cyberspace samplings visit the myspace website (www.myspace.com/tpmlastblog) and don't forget my youtube channel (www.youtube.com/TPatMc) or my band's myspace location (www.myspace.com/thetelepaths).

[filmfan]

I was mostly struck by the quietness of this film. The restraint shown in the acting and directing was actually quite a strength in my opinion, as it truly allowed the story to shine.

[Mike_McNamara]

It's at the Landmark this Friday - tell your friends!!!

Mac

[LastBlog]

As a follow-up to the premiere of 'The Merry Gentleman' at the Midwest Independent Film Festival, I did these two interviews on the eve of the film's theater opening on May 1st...

The Producers: Behind the Scenes of Michael Keaton’s ‘The Merry Gentleman’ --

http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/7645/the-producers-behind-the-scenes-of-michael-keaton-s-the-merry-gentleman


Best Supporter: Tom Bastounes on Michael Keaton, Kelly Macdonald, ‘The Merry Gentleman' --

http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/7662/best-supporter-tom-bastounes-on-michael-keaton-kelly-macdonald-the-merry-gentleman

Pat McDonald is a Chicago based film critic and writer. Read his reviews and articles at...

http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/news/patrick-mcdonald
_________________
For more Last Blog in Cyberspace samplings visit the myspace website (www.myspace.com/tpmlastblog) and don't forget my youtube channel (www.youtube.com/TPatMc) or my band's myspace location (www.myspace.com/thetelepaths).