Cast: Michael Keaton, Kelly MacDonald, Tom Bastounes, Bobby Canavale,

Director: Michael Keaton

Writer: Ron Lazzeretti

Escaping a violent marriage Kate Frazier (Kelly Macdonald) heads to Chicago for a new life and some anonymity. Before long she is fending off love interests from all over the place, the most persistent of which is divorced alcoholic cop Dave ably played by Tom Bastounes.

Kate charms everyone she meets with her own unique brand of sweet, vulnerable and gutsy. The casting is brilliant; the film might not have worked so well had this part been given to someone less inclined to be endearing.

Michael Keaton, who also directed the film, puts in an understated and superb performance as Frank Logan, a suicidal hitman who first stumbles across Kate under a Christmas tree that has fallen on her. “Most people find presents under a tree, I found a girl under a tree.�

Despite keeping secrets from each other the communication between them is honest and natural, a comfy place where silences are allowed. Their relationship teeters between fatherly concern and a growing love that is difficult to pinpoint but beautiful to watch. There is something seductive about the film; the story’s simplicity, the interesting central characters and the juxtaposition of love and violence throughout.

A dark drama with some funny moments, The Merry Gentleman is a story of companionship, love and violence that is allowed to unfold in its own sweet time. The film is evidence that a simple story well told and brilliantly acted can be every bit as compelling as an action movie complete with all its CGI bells and whistles. And in a drama like this you need to be able to act very well indeed or there is nowhere to hide.

Although full of religious imagery, this is a Christmas offering with no Santa Claus in sight. Neither is there the trite sentimentality that often accompanies dramas of this type, particularly Christmassy ones. It even plays around with the notion of yuletide goodwill; right at the start one of Frank’s violent dispatches is accompanied by a jolly Christmas tune.

The Merry Gentleman makes you care about the characters and inevitably, you want to see where the story takes them.

The Merry Gentleman is released by The Works on 4th December 2009.

By Jane O’Connor

www.Janeoconnor.co.uk