Solitary Man (2009)

A car magnate watches his personal and professional life hit the skids because of his business and romantic indiscretions.

Directors:

Brian Koppelman, David Levien

Writer:

Brian Koppelman

Stars:

Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon, Danny DeVito

1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Douglas	...	Ben Kalmen
Susan Sarandon	...	Nancy Kalmen
Danny DeVito	...	Jimmy Merino
Mary-Louise Parker	...	Jordon Karsch
Jenna Fischer	...	Susan Porter
Imogen Poots	...	Allyson Karsch
Jesse Eisenberg	...	Daniel Cheston
Richard Schiff	...	Steve Heller
Jake Richard Siciliano	...	Scotty (as Jake Siciliano)
David Costabile	...	Gary Porter
Ben Shenkman	...	Peter Hartofilias
Anastasia Griffith	...	Carol Salomonde
Alex Kaluzhsky	...	Ted Loof
Simona Williams	...	Nurse (as Simona Levin Williams)
James Colby	...	Sgt. John Haverford

Storyline

Ben Kalman is aging: he has heart problems, his marriage is over, he's lost a fortune after being caught cutting corners in his East Coast car business, and he's sleeping with as many women as possible - the younger the better. He's chosen his current girlfriend, Jordan, because her father can help him get a new auto dealership; she's asked him to escort her daughter, Allyson, 18, on a visit to a Boston college campus. He behaves badly, and there are consequences to his love life, his finances, and his relationship with his daughter and grandson. Is there anywhere he can turn?

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Plot Keywords:

marriage | love | aging | friend | i.v. | 

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Taglines:

Ben loves his family almost as much as he loves himself

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [jp]

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

2 June 2010 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

El hombre solitario

Filming Locations:

City Island, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$94,936 (USA) (21 May 2010)

Gross:

$4,360,548 (USA) (2 October 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Millennium Films, Smartest Man Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Michael Douglas's next film Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps was also filmed at Fordham University and again co-starred Susan Sarandon.

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Quotes

Jimmy Merino: When my father gave me this place years ago, I used to dream about these girls. Every night, dreams, all kinds of dreams about 'em. But then I'd see them coming back after graduation. They'd come to homecomings, ballgames. They'd sit at the same tables, eat the same food. And I'd look at them and I noticed, they don't stay like this. None of 'em. They put on years and pounds and wrinkles. And I got one like that at home. So. And we can talk to each other. I know her and I'll always know her.

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Connections

References The Graduate (1967)

User Reviews

Worth at least a solitary viewing.

"You can't cheat death, Benny. Nobody can, no matter how many 19-year-olds you talk into your bed."

The topic of the mid-life crisis and men losing their identity and sense of self as they get older has been fertile ground for movies in the past, and Solitary Man is another entry into that sub-genre. 

It's a drama with slight comedic elements. Michael Douglas stars as a once powerful man who lost his wealth and position when he was caught running a scam. He fills that void with ill-advised trysts with young women and depending emotionally on his exasperated daughter. When his last-ditch attempt to regain his past career is derailed because of another poor decision, he has to confront what his life has become, his own self- destructive behavior, and how his choices have affected the people around him. This isn't a ground-breaking story, but it's certainly watchable and occasionally emotionally involving. 

The real reason to see Solitary Man is the cast. Along with Douglas, the movie stars Mary-Louise Parker, Imogen Poots, Danny DeVito, Susan Sarandon, Jesse Eisenberg, and Jenna Fisher. Some of the parts are bigger than others (I really wish Sarandon would have been a larger part of the movie), but fans of any of them will want to see this. 

For everyone else, Solitary Man is a movie you should watch if it piques your interest. Will you be adding it to the list of your all-time favorites? Probably not. It's definitely worth ninety minutes on a Sunday afternoon, though.