Review of Solitary Man (2009) by Dustin G — 28 Aug 2010

Fantastic movie about the almost complete unravelling of a man and his success by his own hand.

Michael Douglas is fantastic as the title character whose lust for woman causes him to eventually lose his family and his career.

And it all started because he cheated on his wife. And then he loses his chance at getting back his career because he cheats on his girlfriend. And his daughter won't let him near her or her child because he has sex with her friend, whose cheating with him.

And so on. Finally a movie that shows the truly destructive nature of unfaithfulness.

Watching this guys life unwind is almost like watching a Greek tragedy unfolding. But it's hard to really feel sorry for him because he brings all on himself. Then again, this isn't a movie that wants you to feel sorry for it's protagonist. It's not trying to get people to say 'oh man, poor guy. That could happen to anyone.' It's trying to get people to say 'when's this guy going to quit being such a douchebag, start making things right with the people he's hurt and start putting his life back together?'.

There is one person who sticks by Douglas' character through thick and thin, one of the most likable screen characters.

I've ever seen in a movie, played to such perfection by Danny Devito that it reminded me of what a great actor he is and makes me wonder why the hell he doesn't get more work than he does. Maybe he doesn't want more work though, who knows.

The movie has a great ending. An ending that I'm seeing more and more of.

Intended to spark post-movie conversations over coffee at that Second Cup across the street I'm sure (hey, there's always a Second Cup across the street, no matter where you are). I can think of at least three new movies I've seen recently that uses this technique and it's in danger of becoming unoriginal and overdone. But it's not there yet and at this point it's still a great way to end a movie and a great way to end this one.