Review of Solitary Man (2009) by Pasha A — 11 Dec 2010

This movie should be required viewing by young women new to the singles scene. The 65 year old Michael Douglas, seduces 18 year old girls, who are unaware that they may only be a temporary boost for his flagging ego. His life of "sex as a sport", and interesting consequences, is the subject of the film. His running commentary is an education in how a guy thinks, if he is only thinking about the next temporary bed partner.

Eighteen year old, Imagene Poots, whom he reluctantly escorts to college for her interview, previously performed in English romance movies, and has an English accent in real life. Rather than being a sweet Jane Austen type, in this movie she discusses her own sexual experiences, and goes to bed with Michael, with the promise of an education in how to communicate better in bed with her young boyfriends. Feat accomplished. Instead of being grateful for the experience, she abandons Michael in the hotel room, in order to rush home. Whether she intends to punish her mother, Mary Louise Parker, with the news, or punish Michael, or both, is a good question. Parker, who has power and wealth, has been Michael's significant other. Prior to her talk with her mother, Michael had actually fallen in love with Poots, and has fantasies about the two of them. He is in denial.

Michael's daughter, Jenna Fischer, and former wife, Susan Saranden, see him for what he is, and give him valuable feedback, which he dismisses. His daughter's only recourse is to set boundaries, after we see how his behavior affects her and her family. His former wife Susan Sarandan, plays a sympathetic character. We don't know at the end of the movie, if Michael will continue to go after young girls, or take Susan's invitation to come in from out in the cold. My guess is he will continue until death takes him. His mind has been changed by alcohol abuse, and he has lost the ability to make good choices for himself. Nursing homes have those types of men in their alsheimers and demential wards.

I don't know anywhere else a woman would be educated about sexual predators or have the experience of seeing one brought low, so clearly, except this movie. Most predators have to have charm, money, good looks, and youthful confidence to pull off their game, and Michael Douglas has few of those traits in this film. Cancer and age have taken their toll on his looks, and it is shocking to see how bad he looks. many women think a man in his 60's is attractive enough for a starring role, when compared to the young actors we normally see on the big screen? Women aren't the only ones in Hollywood, who age out of roles in movies.