Review of Solitary Man (2009) by Susan R — 01 Jul 2010

I'm getting a bit sick of ambiguous endings. It seems like movies are doing it now just for the sake of doing it - similar to 3D. Side note: my mom, at a recent movie, during the previews, said to me, "I am already goddamn sick of 3D." Second side note: my mom has not seen any of the recent 3D movies.

The performances were all very strong - particularly Jesse Eisenberg, who I'm starting to think is a real kickass actor. There's something about him: you always know it's him, and yet he always effortlessly blends into the character he's portraying. It's a trait I feel very few actors have, and it always amazes me. Jack Nicholson is one.

Michael Douglas did a really phenomenal job of being so pathetic and yet still somehow likable. He made even the lamer lines of dialogue really sparkle and have meaning.

As for the actresses, maybe because this is such a blatantly male/misogynist (but apologetically so) film, none of them really stood out. Jenna Fischer still treats every damn role like she's Pam; Mary-Louise Parker went for over-the-top and missed, and Susan Sarandon seemed wincingly uncomfortable playing the older wife.

This was definitely a man's movie, with Douglas, Eisenberg, and a very downplayed Danny DeVito stealing the show. Was it fantastic? No. But I was impressed with the performances. Also impressed with how Catherine Zeta-Jones can bang Michael Douglas. Because, man oh man, is he old.