Solitary Man (2009)

Directors:

Brian Koppelman
David Levien

Writer (WGA):

Brian Koppelman (written by)

Release Date:

2 June 2010 (Sweden)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Ben loves his family almost as much as he loves himself

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Marriage | Love | Aging | Friend | I.v.

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

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
Arthur J. Nascarella	...	Nascarella (as Arthur Nascarella)
Bruce Altman	...	Dr. Steinberg
Nick H. Toomey	...	Bill Rallye
Adam Pally	...	Irate Student
Lenny Venito	...	Todd The Building Manager
Greg McFadden	...	Maitre D'
Ricky Garcia	...	Waiter
Douglas McGrath	...	Dean Edward Gitleson (as Doug McGrath)
Gillian Jacobs	...	Tall Girl
Katherine Owens	...	Allyson's Attractive Friend
Arizona Muse	...	Kelly
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
James Thomas Bligh	...	Bartender Bob (uncredited)
Jennifer Butler	...	Susan's Friend (uncredited)
Jolynn Carpenter	...	Hipster Model (uncredited)
Bianca Giancoli	...	Jogger (uncredited)
Adam Goodnoff-Cernese	...	Taxi Cab Driver (uncredited)
Anna Kuchma	...	Student (uncredited)
Rebecca Merle	...	College Party Girl (uncredited)
Anjelia Pelay	...	Cheerleader (uncredited)
Dana Power	...	Young Woman (uncredited)
Sean Patrick Reilly	...	Shadow (uncredited)
Peter Riga	...	Man at Airport Ticket Counter (uncredited)
Lana Taylor	...	Hostess (uncredited)
Olivia Thirlby	...	Maureen (uncredited)
Lila Urda	...	Hipster (uncredited)

Directed by
Brian Koppelman
David Levien

Writing credits (WGA)
Brian Koppelman		(written by)

Produced by
Boaz Davidson	....	executive producer
Danny Dimbort	....	executive producer
Jared Goldman	....	co-producer
Donna Golomb	....	producer
Avi Lerner	....	executive producer
Heidi Jo Markel	....	producer
Paul Schiff	....	producer
Trevor Short	....	executive producer
Steven Soderbergh	....	producer
Moshe Diamant	....	executive producer (uncredited)
Joe Gatta	....	executive producer (uncredited)

Original Music by
Michael Penn

Cinematography by
Alwin H. Küchler		(director of photography) (as Alwin Kuchler)

Film Editing by
Tricia Cooke

Casting by
Avy Kaufman

Production Design by
Robert Pearson

Art Direction by
Doug Huszti

Set Decoration by
Regina Graves

Costume Design by
Jenny Gering

Makeup Department
Annemarie Bradley	....	hair stylist: Susan Sarandon
Leslie Fuller	....	makeup department head
Peggy Nicholson	....	hair stylist assistant (as Peggy Nickelson)
Katherine O'Donnell	....	key makeup artist (as Kathy O'Donnell)
Susan Reilly LeHane	....	makeup artist: Susan Sarandon (as Susan Lehane)
Kerrie Smith	....	hair department head

Production Management
René Besson	....	executive in charge of production: Millennium Films
George Gale	....	executive in charge of post-production: Millennium Films
Mike Harrop	....	post-production supervisor
Joseph Lobato	....	post-production manager: Millennium Films
Holly S. Rymon	....	unit production manager (as Holly Rymon)
Becky Di Lallo	....	production supervisor: additional photography (uncredited)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Steve Apicella	....	first assistant director
Justin Ritson	....	second assistant director
Derek Wimble	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Pastor Alvarado III	....	assistant property master (as Pastor Alvarado)
Peter Bundrick	....	key carpenter (as Pete Bundrick)
Dominick Cocuzzo	....	second construction grip
Michael Cory	....	assistant property master
James Dewolf	....	construction grip (as Jim Dewolf)
Daniel Dietrich	....	carpenter foreman (as Dan Dietrich)
William Durnin Jr.	....	set dresser
Adam Goodnoff-Cernese	....	on-set dresser
Greco	....	set dresser foreman
Daniel K. Grosso	....	leadman (as Danny Grosso)
Richard Hebrank	....	construction coordinator (as Richie Hebrank)
Mario Herrera	....	charge scenic artist
Martin Kirchoff	....	carpenter
Mandy Lamb	....	food stylist
Glenn Lloyd	....	art department coordinator
Robert Ludemann	....	graphic artist
Ann Durnin Mckendry	....	set dresser
Michael Miller	....	key construction grip
Richard Vilas Montesanto	....	charge scenic artist
Richard Nelson	....	set dresser (as Rick Nelson)
Laura Nemesi	....	set decorating production assistant
Kaylie Schiff	....	art department production assistant
Andrew Spagnoli	....	set dresser
Alexis Weiss	....	property master
Sam Weiss	....	art department production assistant
Jasmine E. Ballou	....	props (uncredited)
Paul Alexander Larkin	....	set dresser (uncredited)
Wayne Scott Miller	....	set dresser (uncredited)

Sound Department
Lon Bender	....	supervising sound editor
David Boulton	....	adr mixer
Ryan Collison	....	foley mixer
Stefani Feldman	....	sound effects editor (as Stephani Feldman)
Brian Gallagher	....	adr recordist
Justin Gray	....	additional sound mixer
Glynna Grimala	....	adr supervisor
Glynna Grimala	....	sound effects editor
Andrew Kris	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Andy Kris)
Josh McHugh	....	sound effects editor
Dave McMoyler	....	dialogue editor (as David McMoyler)
Dror Mohar	....	sound designer
David Pastecchi	....	boom operator (as Dave Pastecchi)
Jay Peck	....	foley artist
Phil Rosati	....	additional boom operator
James J. Sabat Jr.	....	sound utility (as J.J. Sabat)
Adam Sanchez	....	additional sound utility
Damien Smith	....	foley artist
Michael Suarez	....	temp mix: Goldcrest Post Production
Thomas Varga	....	sound mixer (as Tom Varga)
Gayle Wesley	....	supervising assistant sound editor

Special Effects by
Phillip Beck	....	special effects coordinator (as Philip Beck)

Visual Effects by
Dilyan Ainadjiev	....	technical support: Worldwide FX
Simeon Asenov	....	visual effects art director: Worldwide FX
Dilyan Aynadzhiev	....	visual effects systems administrator
Svilen Aynadzhiev	....	2d compositor: Worldwide FX
Emilia Borisova	....	3d animator: Worldwide FX
Angelina Borisowa	....	visual effects editor: Worldwide FX
Scott Coulter	....	visual effects producer: Worldwide FX
Molle DeBartolo	....	digital intermediate qc lead: Deluxe New York
Daniel Donchov	....	technical support: Worldwide FX
Danail Hadzhiyski	....	visual effects supervisor: Worldwide FX
Bo Harris	....	visual effects coordinator: Worldwide FX
Markus Janner	....	scanning and recording: Feluxe New York
Nikolay Kondarev	....	technical support: Worldwide FX
Nikolay Kvetsinski	....	technical support: Worldwide FX
Chris MacKenzie	....	smoke artist: Deluxe New York
Iain Marcks	....	scanning and recording: Deluxe New York (as Iain Stasukevich)
Peter Marinov	....	technical support: Worldwide FX
Jordan Markov	....	visual effects
Milena Peneva	....	visual effects coordinator: Worldwide FX
Tremell Pittman	....	technical support: Worldwide FX (as Tremell Pitman)
Stefan Tchakarov	....	visual effects production supervisor: Worldwide FX
Valentin Todorov	....	technical support: Worldwide FX
Peter Tomov	....	3d lead artist: Worldwide FX (as Petar Tomov)
Alex Zvezdev	....	technical support: Worldwide FX (as Alexander Zvedev)

Stunts
Paul Bucossi	....	stunts
Peter Bucossi	....	stunt coordinator
Gene Harrison	....	stunts
Gene Harrison	....	stunt double: Michael Douglas (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Daniel Beaman	....	dolly grip (as Dan Beaman)
Michael W. Brennan	....	rigging gaffer (as Mike Brennan)
Kevin L. Bright	....	additional dolly grip (as Kevin Bright)
Vincent Camuto	....	video assistant
Phillip V. Caruso	....	still photographer (as Phil Caruso)
Tom Cioccio	....	second assistant camera
Tom Concordia	....	additional still photographer
Glenn Davis	....	rigging electrician
Maggie Delaney	....	company electrician
James P. Dolan	....	additional best boy electric (as Jimmy Dolan)
Stanley Fernandez Jr.	....	first assistant camera (as Stanley Fernandez)
Tim Ferraer	....	grip
Glenn Fishel	....	grip
Brad Goss	....	grip
Carlos Omar Guerra	....	camera operator (as Carlos Guerra)
Kevin Haverty	....	second assistant camera
Mike Indursky	....	additional loader (as Mike Indersky)
Beverly Jones	....	company electrician
Ed Koza	....	grip
Robert Kummert	....	best boy grip
Eric Kutner	....	best boy rigging electric
Frida Marzouk	....	company electrician
Dave McAllister	....	key grip
Thomas McGrath Woods	....	additional best boy grip (as Tom Woods)
John J. Moers	....	additional documentary cinematography
Robert Morganstein	....	rigging electrician (as Rob Morganstein)
Charlie Price	....	grip
Doug Price	....	grip
Michael P. Prisco Jr.	....	company electrician (as Michael Prisco)
Edward A. Robinson Jr.	....	grip (as Ted Robinson)
Josh Rosenblum	....	camera production assistant
Robert Sciretta	....	gaffer
Kevin Smith	....	additional key grip
Mark Stetz	....	best boy electric
Stephanie Zimmer	....	loader
Paul Colangelo	....	additional first assistant camera (uncredited)
Ted Goodwin	....	electric (uncredited)
Martin Jaksa	....	grip (uncredited)
John J. Moers	....	documentary cameraman (uncredited)
Mike Montgomery	....	best boy rigging grip (uncredited)

Casting Department
Lois J. Drabkin	....	casting associate (as Lois Drabkin)
Lee Genick	....	extras casting: Sylvia Fay/Lee Genick & Associates
Ronen Gevint	....	extras casting associate
Alex Zahn	....	casting assistant
Leeba Zakharov	....	casting associate
David H. Kramer	....	adr voice casting (uncredited)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Lexy Buiardo	....	wardrobe intern
Clare Cardoni	....	wardrobe production assistant
Havi Elkaim	....	assistant costume designer
Felicity Gifford	....	additional costumer
Charlese Antoinette Jones	....	wardrobe intern (as Charlese Jones)
Chrissy Kuhn	....	key costumer
Ellen Mirojnick	....	costume designer: Michael Douglas
Esther Oh	....	wardrobe intern
Amy Pickering	....	wardrobe supervisor
Alex Rubin	....	wardrobe intern
Autumn Saville	....	additional costumer
Aneikit Bonnel	....	costumer (uncredited)
Jared B. Leese	....	tailor (uncredited)

Editorial Department
Marcus Alexander	....	digital intermediate manager
Gillian Beggs	....	post production intern: Millennium Films
David Chai	....	digital intermediate engineer
Cristina Esteras-Ortiz	....	dailies producer
Joe Gawler	....	digital intermediate colorist (as Joseph Gawler)
Duck Grossberg	....	data wrangler
Nick Houy	....	assistant editor
Zornitsa Krasteva	....	colorist: Worldwide FX
Jack Lewars	....	digital intermediate assistant colorist
Tim Mullen	....	digital intermediate engineer
John Potter	....	colorist: video master
Jacob Robinson	....	digital intermediate editor
Jonathan Sanden	....	digital intermediate assist
Darrell R. Smith	....	digital intermediate coordinator
Victoria Valles	....	post-production intern (as Vickie Valles)
Randy Yang	....	post-production intern
Jason Crump	....	colorist: dailies (uncredited)

Music Department
Selena Arizanovic	....	music supervisor
Doug Bernheim	....	music supervisor
John Jennings Boyd	....	assistant score engineer
John Jennings Boyd	....	score coordinator
Danny Frankel	....	featured musician
Mick Gormaley	....	assistant music editor
Todd Kasow	....	music editor
Randy Kerber	....	featured musician
Katherine Gordon Miller	....	assistant music editor (as Katherine Miller)
Nic Ratner	....	music editor
Alberto Vasquez	....	music supervisor intern
Rob Wasserman	....	featured musician

Transportation Department
David Buckman	....	driver
Jim Buckman	....	transportation captain
Robert Buckman	....	driver (as Bob Buckman)
Peter Connors	....	driver
Ryan Patrick Cooke	....	driver (as Ryan Cooke)
Robert Foster Jr.	....	driver (as Robert Foster)
Thomas Garrett	....	driver (as Tom Garrett)
Kenneth Garrison	....	driver (as Ken Garrison)
Steve Hollingsworth	....	driver
Sean McNay	....	driver
Robert Morgan	....	driver
Bob O'Neill	....	transportation co-captain
Joseph Riso	....	driver (as Joe Riso)
Gary Sherman Jr.	....	driver
Joe Stapleton	....	driver
Dan Buckman	....	driver: Mr. Douglas (uncredited)

Other crew
Jennielyn Abrot	....	assistant: Heidi Jo. Markel
Adam Asher	....	set production assistant
Randall Balsmeyer	....	title designer (as Randy Balsmeyer)
Jim J. Barnes	....	set production assistant (as Jim Barnes)
Matthew Barone	....	production intern
Jennifer Benharbon	....	production intern
Kevin Black	....	second assistant accountant
Jason Booth	....	additional key production assistant
Devon Boyd	....	senior vice president of finance: Millennium Films
Dustin Bricker	....	additional script supervisor
Kijana Brown	....	parking coordinator
Eva Z. Cabrera	....	script supervisor
Emma Cooper	....	publicist
Sarah Crofts	....	location coordinator
Charlie Dibe	....	assistant production coordinator
Annie Domingo	....	senior accountant: Millennium Films
Rick Eyler	....	business and legal affairs: Millennium Films
Lindsay Feldman	....	production coordinator
Claude Forest	....	insurance broker: Multimediarisk.com (as Claude H. Forest)
Megan Galizia	....	production intern
Anna Gand	....	financial analyst: Millennium Films
Adam Gibbs	....	production intern
Jeffrey Giles	....	international distribution
Sam Gomez	....	key assistant location manager
Will Gottlieb	....	set production assistant
Lesa Greenfield	....	production associate
Emmett Harty Jr.	....	set production assistant (as Emmett Harty)
Rebecca Hoobler	....	production intern
Noah Hougland	....	production intern
Marcin Janowski	....	executive in charge of marketing: Millennium Films
Paul Kahil	....	set production assistant
Ben Katz	....	set production assistant
Ashley Kravitz	....	clearance coordinator: Cleared By Ashley
Jodie Kuhuski	....	financial consultant: Millennium Films (as Jodie Kuhuski Mercuri)
Alan J. Lam	....	production controller (as Alan Lam)
Brendan Lee	....	set production assistant
Anne Yvette Legendre	....	production secretary
Samantha Lowe	....	assistant publicist
Brendan C. Lynch	....	set production assistant (as Brendan Lynch)
Joan Mao	....	assistant: Boaz Davidson
Francisco Marcial	....	parking coordinator (as Cisco Marcial)
Christian Mercuri	....	president of international sales and distribution: Millennium Films
Bruno Michels	....	key set production assistant
Mark Micucci	....	post production accountant
Melissa Mugavero	....	set production assistant
Karen S. Neasi	....	product placement coordinator (as Karen Neasi)
Elizabeth Neveu	....	set production assistant
Rouslan Ovtcharoff	....	production associate
Becky Phillips	....	set production assistant (as Becky Philips)
Angel Pina	....	chef
Stephen Popernik	....	additional location manager
Gaby Protell	....	production intern (as Gabrielle Protell)
Dan Rafeld	....	set production assistant (as Daniel Rafeld)
Lonnie Ramati	....	production business affairs
Ed Resetar	....	assistant: Paul Schiff
Tina Rosen	....	executive vice president accounting: Millennium Films
Josh Rosenblum	....	location assistant
J. Max Ruschak	....	first assistant accountant
Gustavo Santana	....	banking: Millennium Films
Kathy Scharer	....	production accountant
William Sepulveda	....	craft service (as Will Sepulveda)
Avivah Sharon	....	travel: New Act Travel (as Aviva Sharon)
Luke Tomalin Sherman	....	set production assistant (as Luke Sherman)
Susan Silas	....	location scout
Collin Smith	....	location manager
Patricia Stanley	....	accounts payable: Millennium Films
Matt Sullivan	....	location assistant
Ray Tamayo	....	accounting supervisor: Millennium Films
Mat Thomas	....	production office assistant (as Matthew Thomas)
Anthony Torre	....	caterer: Gourmet To U
Donna Truax	....	additional caterer
Ron Uribe	....	unit production assistant
Eva Vedock	....	chef
Dennis Voskov	....	assistant location manager
Julie Weisel	....	post production accountant: Millennium Films
Bradley Weiss	....	human resources: Millennium Films
Amy Weisshar	....	set production assistant
John Whitley	....	payroll accountant
Gabriel Wilson	....	assistant: Brian Koppelman and David Levien
Nimrod Zalmanowitz	....	epk creator
Brendan H. Banks	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Richard M. Bartholomay	....	location scout (uncredited)
Steve Berman	....	completion bond (uncredited)
Will Bigwood	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Jesse Davidson	....	location scout: additional photography (uncredited)
Karen Gehres	....	epk producer (uncredited)
Bianca Giancoli	....	stand-in (uncredited)
Jennifer Hoopes	....	location scout (uncredited)
Anthony Lote	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Dan Majkut	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Jared Morrison	....	stand-in (uncredited)
John Puccinelli	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Mike Reiersen	....	additional production assistant (uncredited)
Daryl Sledge	....	additional production assistant (uncredited)
Eugene Stamos	....	craft service assistant (uncredited)
Joshua Williams	....	production assistant (uncredited)
Nicholas Williams	....	production assistant (uncredited)

Thanks
Ethan Coen	....	special thanks
Neil Diamond	....	special thanks
Jessica Franklin	....	special thanks
Lauren Hussey	....	special thanks
Kevin Kasha	....	very special thanks
Joel Rousseau	....	special thanks
Joe Snell	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Millennium Films
• Smartest Man Productions

Distributors

• Anchor Bay Films (2010) (USA) (theatrical)
• Distribution Company (2010) (Argentina) (theatrical)
• Fine Films (2011) (Japan) (theatrical)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2010) (USA) (DVD)
• Anchor Bay Entertainment (2010) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• California Filmes (2010) (Brazil) (all media)
• Cinemax (2009) (Russia) (all media) (CIS)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2010) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Dutch FilmWorks (DFW) (2010) (Netherlands) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Eagle Films (2009) (non-USA) (all media) (Middle East)
• Film1 (2011) (Netherlands) (TV) (limited)
• Future Film (2010) (Sweden) (DVD)
• Future Film (2010) (Sweden) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
• Mongkol Major (2011) (Thailand) (all media)
• Odeon (2009) (Greece) (all media)
• Plus Video (2010) (Argentina) (DVD)
• Splendid Film (2009) (Austria) (all media)
• Splendid Film (2009) (Germany) (all media)
• Splendid Film (2009) (Switzerland) (all media) (German-speaking Switzerland)
• VVS Films (2010) (Canada) (all media)
• Wide Pictures (2010) (Spain) (all media)
• Zon Lusomundo Audiovisuais (2010) (Portugal) (all media)

Special Effects

• Worldwide FX (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Big Film Design  titles
• Cleared By Ashley  clearance coordination
• Comerica Entertainment Group  production financing
• David Haddad  transportation equipment
• David Kramer's Looping Group  background vocals
• Deluxe New York  digital intermediate
• Digital Post Services  delivery and international servicing
• Film Finances  completion bond
• Goldcrest Post Production London  adr: UK (as Goldcrest Post Production)
• Goldcrest Post Production London  temp mix (as Goldcrest Post Production)
• Gourmet To U  catering
• Haddad's  transportation equipment
• Lightnin' Production Rentals  honeywagon
• Mega Playground  video dailies
• Mimeograph Studio  score recorded at
• Multimediarisk.com  insurance services
• New Act Travel  travel
• PES Payroll  payroll services
• Sage and Sound  score recorded at
• Sonic Magic  adr: LA
• Sound One  sound post-production
• Sylvia Fay/Lee Genick & Associates Casting  extras casting
• Visions from the Roof  Noiseshapers' music administered by
• Warrenwood Sound Studios  adr: LA (as Warrenwood Studios)

Also Known As:

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual content

Runtime:

90 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #45520) | Canada:14A (Manitoba/Ontario) | Australia:M | Netherlands:9 | Argentina:16 | Portugal:M/12 | Brazil:12 | Singapore:NC-16 | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Millennium Films

Trivia:

Brian Koppelman reveals in an interview with filmschoolrejects.com that the blonde that walks by at the end of the movie is Sports Illustrated cover model Brooklyn Decker.

Quotes:

Ben Kalmen:You got your little jokes, you know, the Spanish thing, interests are the same, and the studying. But, um, are you getting it, you know, where it counts?
Maureen:Oh, Ben. Cheston thinks you care about him.
Ben Kalmen:This has nothing to do with him. He's never gonna know about this. Never.
Maureen:Aren't you a little old for all this?
Ben Kalmen:You're still standing here, aren't you?
Maureen:Yeah, 'cause I'm contemplating throwing this drink in your face. But I'm not going to, because I don't want Cheston to know what you just tried. So you can just walk away. Please.
[...]

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Late Show with David Letterman: Michael Keaton/Jenna Fischer (#17.136)" (2010)

Well done look at the life of a middle aged man who simply will not give up his vices!

"Solitary Man" clearly is one of those some will like or hate, as it's a complex character study that proves most in life will not give up their vices. As people will always be stubborn and not change their ways. The film also is made watchable by having an all star cast. Micheal Douglas shines as Ben Kalmen a 60 year old man who's complex as it's clear he's going thru a midlife crisis.

The film begins with Ben receiving some bad health news then it flashes ahead six and one half years. And it's clear that this has changed Ben's lifestyle and his personal dealings with his job and family. Ben's now divorced from his wife Nancy(Susan Sarandon)and his relationship with his daughter Susan(Jenna Fischer) is strained. Ben's only satisfaction is his romancing and dating of Jordan(Mary-Louise Parker) an elegant and sophisticated single mother who's attractive and sexy daughter Allyson(Imogen Poots)becomes a conquest of Ben's. That's right when he accompanies Allyson away on a college trip he beds this 18 year old. Also on the trip Ben parties up with a fellow campus student(Jesse Eisenberg). Clearly Ben is trying to live his teenage years all over.

Kalmen can only dream of his past success as a high rolling car magnate in which he threw away due to his crooked dealings. As his complex behavior continues his only comfort is found when he reconnects with Jimmy(Danny Devito) an old school friend who offers Ben a job at his diner. This is a way that Ben can pay off his debts. Slowly you as the viewer see it was just meant for this man to be complex as you have to pay your debts to life and society when you screw up. And clearly as proved with this film when one is in dire straits vices and rediscovering youth is a pleasure of relief. Still you accept the hard ways and see some people don't want to change their ways only you as the viewer root for redemption for complex characters like Ben Kalmen. Overall this was a complex and touching feel good performance from Michael Douglas.