The Merry Gentleman

Michael Keaton plays a taciturn hitman and directs in this moody woman-in-peril drama that stars Kelly Macdonald. Keaton shows a steady directorial presence, occasionally veering into comedy but only as subtext so that the story maintains its chilly tone. The Merry Gentleman rolls into the Angelika downtown for a brief exclusive engagement.
Keaton's Frank Logan may be suicidal and this is balanced by an alcoholic detective with emotional issues who heads up the subsequent investigation (a convincing and intriguing Tom Bastounes). After shooting a victim in an office from the rooftop across the street Logan teeters on the edge of the roof. The will he or won't he jump moment jarringly is interrupted when Kate Frazier (Macdonald) happens to look up while exiting the building.
Kate has recently moved to the big city herself running from an abusive relationship with her policeman husband (a brief but explosive scene with Bobby Cannavale). The action takes place in Chicago but the setting feels like any large American metroplex. Macdonald uses her native accent and this gives the film a sense that people are from everywhere; constantly coming and going, maturing and passing.
Both the detective and Logan start showing up at Kate's apartment but because of the two men's demeanor you wonder who may pose the most viable threat to Katy. After the characters are established the film's drama faintly resembles one of those post-WWII films with Crawford or Stanwyck where they are being stalked. As mentioned Keaton helms the proceedings with a somber hand but never lets the action veer into melodrama. The title refers to Logan being a good Samaritan around the Christmas season even though he's followed Katy and stages an excuse to help her carry an evergreen tree. The rest of the story and case takes place over the next couple of months. The conclusion is satisfactory and not totally grim in keeping with the nature of the tale.