Fast Facts About The Merry Gentleman
Michael Keaton Makes His Directorial Debut With This Thriller
Apr 11, 2009
Kelly Macdonald plays a guardian angel who attracts morally challenged men in this dark and intricate tale set during the winter months in Chicago.
A mysterious hit man, Frank Logan (Michael Keaton), forms a strange relationship with Kate Frazier (Kelly Macdonald), a sweet woman on the run from her abusive husband. Trouble finds them both as their well-kept secrets become known. Part romance, part suspense, part spiritual drama, and with a little touch of humor, The Merry Gentleman keeps viewers guessing until the end.
The Origin of The Merry Gentleman
- According to the production notes, the movie started with this question: “What’s worse – a good person who treats you badly or a bad person who treats you with kindness?”
- The question inspired writer Ron Lazzeretti, who crafted this unconventional thriller that puts a spin on conventional elements such as a woman on the run, an unstable hit man, and an unassuming cop forced to rise to the challenge.
- In 2005, independent producer and actor Tom Bastounes read the script and decided to take on the project and the role of Detective Dave Murcheson.
- Lazzeretti, who had written and co-directed 1999’s The Opera Lover with Bastounes, agreed to direct The Merry Gentleman.
- For the role of Kate, the production team wanted the character to be unfamiliar with her new surroundings, and to be foreign in order to make her seem even less acclimated to her environment.
- Emmy Award-winning actress Madonald (originally from Glasgow) expressed interest in the role of Kate, and seemed perfectly suited for the part. She received the Emmy for her performance in the HBO original film The Girl in the Café.
- Based on the depth and range displayed in Keaton’s roles in Batman, Clean and Sober, and Pacific Heights, Lazzeretti and Bastounes hired him to star as the cold and calculated hit man who is inspired to change his life through meeting Kate.
About the Production of The Merry Gentleman
- On the day Lazzeretti planned to meet Keaton to make final production plans, his appendix ruptured, resulting in a two-month medical leave. Rather than delay the project any further after many years of planning and preparation, Lazzeretti agreed to relinquish his job as director and let Keaton try his hand at directing his first feature film.
- Principal photography began in Chicago in March 2007. Occasional spring-like weather intruded on the 26-day shooting schedule, in which cold winter days from right before Christmas to just after Valentine’s Day needed to be depicted in the film. Shooting wrapped in mid April.
- Production designer Jennifer Deghan created a cold, stark, timeless urban landscape that took on an entirely different tone when shot with and without a blanket of snow.
- A woman leaves her abusive husband and starts a new life in a different city, yet finds herself involved with someone even more dangerous.
- Starring Michael Keaton, Kelly Macdonald, Bobby Cannavale, Darlene Hunt, Tom Bastounes, Guy Van Swearingen
- Director: Michael Keaton
- Run Time: 97 minutes
- Rated: R (for language and violence)
For a review of this movie, read Movie Review of The Merry Gentleman. For more information about movies with spiritual themes, read Movie Review of The Answer Man and Henry Poole is Here Movie Review.
The copyright of the article Fast Facts About The Merry Gentleman in Film Dramas is owned by Leslie C. Halpern. Permission to republish Fast Facts About The Merry Gentleman in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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