Watch Solitary Man
- R
- 2009
- 1 hr 30 min
-
6.3 (17,211)
Solitary Man is a 2009 drama film directed by Brian Koppelman and David Levien. The film stars Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon, Jesse Eisenberg, and Danny DeVito in supporting roles. The film tells the story of Ben Kalmen (Michael Douglas), a successful car dealer who is facing the consequences of his moral and financial decline. The film begins with Ben Kalmen, who was a successful businessman, losing his business, family, and reputation after being indicted for fraud. With his life in shambles, Ben tries to find solace in his past: his old college friend Jimmy Merino (Danny DeVito), and his daughter Susan (Jenna Fischer), whom he contacts after twenty years. Ben also tries to reconnect with his old flame Jordan (Mary-Louise Parker), but she rejects his advances.
As the story progresses, we see Ben's character struggling with his moral and ethical values, as he continues to engage in self-destructive behaviors such as heavy drinking, smoking, and womanizing. The only person who still believes in Ben is his current girlfriend, Jordan's daughter Allyson (Imogen Poots), who is willing to forgive his past transgressions and help him rebuild his life.
Throughout the film, we see Ben's character trying to adapt to his new reality, but he inevitably falls back into his old habits, which leads to further consequences. Michael Douglas delivers a compelling performance as Ben Kalmen, portraying his character's fragility, despair, and vulnerability with great depth and nuance.
The film also explores themes of aging, regret, and redemption, as well as the consequences of one's past actions. We see Ben struggling with his own mortality, as he faces health issues and the realization that he may have wasted his life. The film also raises questions about the nature of success and the importance of family and relationships, as Ben comes to realize that his accomplishments in life mean very little compared to the love and connection he has with the people around him.
Overall, Solitary Man is a thought-provoking and emotional film that offers a powerful look at the human condition. The film's strong performances, compelling story, and complex characters make it a must-see for anyone who enjoys intimate dramas about life, love, and loss.
Solitary Man is a 2009 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 69.