The Merry Gentleman

I just watched this last night and to be honest, I don't know what to make of it.

It's a very self-indulgent movie: Keaton was obviously telling all the actors to minimalize everything. Also the old trope of the "Killer with a heart of gold who acts kinda like Batman and oh by the way is both star and Director of this film" were turnoffs.

There is also a very disturbing text ('cause there is almost no subtext in this film) about MacDonald being some kind of rape/abuse/suicide magnet. Or maybe it's a Noirish "good women have no place in this world" thing.

But there is also Keaton "giving with the Eyes" performance, and MacDonald really showing star quality (which sadly we'll never see in a mainstream film because Hollywood sucks balls) and in fact all the actors give good, thoughtful performances.

Also the theme of alienation and how hard it is for all the characters to reach out to each other, and the consequences (Spoiler: usually bad) when they do are very interesting.

So I guess I'm wanting to write this one off as a bad movie but can't quite do it....hm, one to ponder

OH and for the best Keaton performance, rent no buy Clean and Sober