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The Merry Gentleman
The Merry Gentleman
Tidings of comfort and joy? Michael Keaton's curious Christmas movie
Thursday, 03 December 2009
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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.
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.
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