Review of Solitary Man (2009) by G W — 22 May 2010

Directed by: Brian Koppelman & David Levien.

Running time: 90 min.

Release date: May 21, 2010 (limited).

Genre: Comedy and Drama.

Distributor: Anchor Bay Films.

MPAA Rating: R.

Writer/directors Koppelman and Levien of "Ocean Thirteen" and "Knockaround Guys" tells a story of a former very influential automobile dealer Ben Kalmen who finds himself hitting rock-bottom from making wrong choices in personal and professional life.

Academy Award winner Michael Douglas plays Ben Kalmen, a slick fifty-something New Yorker who is a divorcee. Once married to his college sweetheart Nancy portrayed by Susan Sarandon, he now spends a lot of time with his daughter Susan (Jenna Fischer) and his grandson. He refuses to be placed in a responsible role of a father and grandfather, but as a pal and buddy. This behavior is irritating the family, yet Ben continues to live in this mid-life crisis of a young man.

The plot falls in the form of a RomCom which are stapled for many women, however Michael Douglas is surrounded by a cast of beauties. His character is involved in a sexual and romantic pursuit of a younger woman named Jordan enduringly portrayed by Mary-Louise Parker. She is the daughter of a very important business man who's on the board of directors of a major car manufacturer that Ben neeeds approval to re-enter the world of automobile sales. Michael Douglas' character is one the audience can strongly identify with, and who shows a compelling and visible desire to desperately regain his success and wealth.

What makes this film an appealing movie is how the protagonist tries to win back his success and the love of another. As he pursues another desire the character is terrified by the conflicts he faces. The plot displays the driving motivations in this genre. Actually it grows out of immense pain and loss. To be a good romantic comedy the fact of unemployment is always an element where humor arises from the way its main character overreacts to his situation.

The subplot involves a young freshman student named Cheston (Jesse Eisenberg) who Ben devises a deceptive plan to win over the opposite sex. It only backfires and exposes Ben's flaws.

With all the rotten ways Ben projects, I was hoping for him to straighten out his life. The insurmountable obstacles and the continual battle between comfort and longing, between fear and desire are with the ninety minutes of sitting in the theater. With the support of the cast consisting of Danny Devito, Imogen Poots and Richard Schiff I could identfy with the characters and left the theater in a feel good mood.

Review by Gerald Wright.