The Merry Gentleman

It's amazing what a good group of actors can do under superior direction. I'd almost forgotten. Usually I favor movies for their story, but this movie's story is a bit light. Still, what's there is made all the more engaging by the terrific performances, starting with the two leads. Kelly MacDonald is especially effective, but so is Michael Keaton who manages to bring some convincing emotional reality to the hit man genre despite having directorial duties to perform as well.

The pace is slow but it's rich with detail and nuance to the point you'll feel as if you're really there. Some movie scenes seem to suspend the reality of the camera and lights for those key moments, but here the entire movie seems unusually realistic and unaffected. It's got to be Keaton's doing which makes me hope he finds another project he'd like to tackle soon. Saw this on DVD tonight and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not for the shallow or those only looking for a laugh. Be attentive and respectful and you'll come away a bit better for the experience.