Review of Solitary Man (2009) by Lim Y — 25 Sep 2010

(In the style of Johnny Cashâ??s hit song â??Solitary Manâ??).

This movie was fine til the time that it ended.

Holding it, loving it.

Then Michael came along, acted strong, thatâ??s what I thought.

Susan too, and Jenna too.

I know that I will, and know I can find it,.

This film will stay right behind me.

I am such a fan.

Solitary Man, Solitary Man.

(end of song).

Ok, enough! All apologies to Johnny Cash, Neil Diamond, and even Chris Isaak; three legendary recording artists who have released versions of this classic tune. The film reincarnation of â??Solitary Manâ?? is a whopper of a movie that should not be left alone. Michael Douglas masterfully stars as Ben Kalmen, an aging lothario who has been successful in the past as an automobile dealership mogul; however, due to shady dealings he has crashed in that department and is trying to do and use whatever and whoever it takes to get back on top. This Big Ben also makes a pass to the ladies whenever he gets the call. Sorry, Steeler Fans! Too easy! Kalmen especially does not put on the brakes when it comes to hitting on the younger gals. His libido controls Kalmen not to be a calm man. Jenna Fischer co-stars as his daughter Nancy, who is married to a man that cannot stand Ben, and is a mother to a boy who adores Ben. Susan Sarandon also supports the â??Solitary Manâ?? playing his ex-wife Nancy who is aware of Benâ??s manipulative ways but knows that there are some soft spots somewhere in his humanoid ecosystem. Mary Louise Parker also jumps in the picture as Susan Porter, a rich woman romancing the solitary man even though he has ulterior motives beyond the sheets. Imogen Poots puts in her thespian effort as Allyson, Susanâ??s college-bound daughter who Ben escorts to her college admission visit. Jesse Eisenberg also logs on to this one as Cheston, a timid college student that befriends Ben, and therefore the solitary man tries to teach Cheston a few lessons on being a Bounty Man- â??a quicker picker upperâ?? with the college beauties. And we even get a little Danny Devito sighting playing Jimmy Marino, and old pal of Ben who reunite after many years of kinship absence. I salute the acting ensemble of â??Solitary Manâ??, all of them solid; but the one that had the upper hand was no doubt Douglasâ?? Oscar-worthy grand performance as Ben Kalmen. Sometimes it does take two to make a solitary thing go right, because co-directors Brian Koppelman and David Levien double-downed a winning hand in orchestrating this solitaire game. And Koppelmanâ??s script was witty, authentic, and magnetic. You should definitely single out â??Solitary Manâ?? as a movie that you must key into as soon as possible.

***** Excellent.