Review of Solitary Man (2009) by Tomislav A — 11 Oct 2010

Michael Douglas plays Ben Kalmen, a once successfull car dealer and a minor celebrity that's now struggling financially. He is divorced and although in his sixties, he still manages to get almost every girl he lays his eyes on. He is a smart but unpleasant man that really cares only about himself. His daughter is his best friend, but she also has a hard time dealing with her dad's way of life and irresponsibility. Ben's grandson adores him and loves every minute spent with his grandfather but he often gets hurt, for example when Ben forgot about the boy's birthday. His daughter, pressed by her husband, pushes him away even more realizing that Ben is affecting her family very negatively.

Our Solitary Man also has serious heart problems and is dating (and cheating as much as he can) a much younger woman just because her father is an influential man that can get him back on track with a new job. He gets into a fight, tries to score college girls on a college party, cheats on his girlfriend with one girl that he shouldn't...Ben Kalmen's life slowly collapses around him and the perfect title of this movie is matched by a perfect intro song of the same name, played by Johnny Cash of course.

The movie is a brilliant character study and I must agree without Douglas this wouldn't be likeable to this point. He is just great. Although I was never a big fan of his, apparently role of a self-destructive asshole suits him perfectly. I found the supporting roles also quite good. Susan Sarandon plays his ex-wife, the one woman he truly loved, the one woman he is still hoping to get back somehow, although that train is long gone.

Jesse Eisenberg plays Cheston, a college boy, clumsy and insecure like we've seen him several times before (Adventureland, Zombieland). Ben has actually a positive effect on Cheston as he tells him his words of wisdom and experience with girls. Soon after their interaction, Cheston finds himself a girl and he believes he has Ben to thank to. Of course, Ben manages to destroy his positive effect on Cheston later on.

One other supporting character stuck in my memory, and that is Allyson Karsch, daughter of Ben's current girlfriend, played by Imogen Poots. She is going on a tour of her new college with Ben (where Ben financed the college's library) and two of them have a really interesting relationship, and their dialogues were quite engaging, although unpleasant at times.

I'll just mention Danny DeVito plays a minor role here and is very pleasant as Ben's good friend but a total contrariety of his.

In the end, I must say that I don't believe everone will have fun watching this. The movie doesn't have that mach to keep you entirely concentrated during the whole 90 minutes. But if you prefer character studies, and great performances everywhere you look, then you will be satisfied. I have enjoyed this particurarly because of Michael Douglas and because I usually enjoy movies like this so maybe there's something for you too here.