THE MERRY GENTLEMEN – FILM REVIEW

The story tells of Ashley, a Broadway dancer in a slump in her career. When she returns to her quaint hometown for the holidays, she discovers that her parents' theater will soon close. To save it, Ashley organizes an all-male Christmas revue, hoping to raise enough funds to keep the lights on. Along the way, she meets Luke, a carpenter and a reluctant participant in the show, whose unassuming demeanor hides problems of his own. You can watch this movie on Myflixer movies. 

At first glance, the premise seems promising. The small-town charm and unique setting of a male revue against the backdrop of Christmas festivities could have been a recipe for offbeat fun. But Merry Gentlemen lacks focus and doesn't effectively balance its comedic and romantic elements. The revue itself becomes a subplot, undermining the very premise that should have driven the story.

Britt Robertson, known for her charisma in projects like Tomorrowland, struggles to give Ashley the energy and drive she needs to carry the film. Ashley's character is one-dimensional, a woman whose motivations seem dictated by the script rather than a genuine emotional arc. Robertson's attempts to portray Ashley's passion for dance and her family's theater come across as half-hearted and alienate the audience.

Meanwhile, Chad Michael Murray is miscast as Luke; his rough, small-town carpenter charisma fits the Christmas rom-com love interest archetype perfectly, but his portrayal lacks nuance. Luke's character is portrayed as brooding but kind-hearted, but Murray's flat performance makes it hard to empathize with him; even his moments of vulnerability seem forced, which robs the character of any depth. To make matters worse, Murray and Robertson fail to establish the believable chemistry essential to a romantic comedy; their interactions seem awkward and stilted, and their dialogue lacks humor or genuine emotion.

Peter Sullivan's direction is uneven at best. While attempting to weave together elements of romance, comedy, and family drama, the film suffers from a tonally inconsistent and disjointed appearance. Scenes alternate between sweet sentimentality and tepid humor without finding a consistent rhythm. Moments meant to provoke laughs often fail to resonate, while romantic moments lack the emotional weight to resonate.

Pacing is also a big issue. The first act drags on as it over-explains Ashley's predicament and sets up Luke's introduction. The middle part tries to juggle several subplots -- the revue, Ashley's relationship with her estranged parents, and Luke's mysterious past -- but none of them get enough attention to feel fully developed. The build-up seems rushed and disappointing until the revue finally takes center stage in the final act. Watch this movie on Flixtor.