Solitary Man

Name: Solitary Man
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: May 21, 2010
Duration: 90 min
Rating: 69
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon

2010

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 44 Ratings

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5.3

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Solitary Man

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Movie Details & Credits

Anchor Bay Entertainment | Release Date: May 21, 2010 | R

Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Michael Douglas, Susan Sarandon

Summary: Solitary Man tells the story of Ben Kalmen, a fifty-something New Yorker and former successful car dealer, who through his own bad choices lost his entire business. (Millennium Films)

Director: Brian Koppelman and David Levien

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: R

Runtime: 90 min

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Critic Reviews

Lisa Schwarzbaum

With an outstanding screenplay by Brian Koppelman and disciplined direction by Koppelman and David Levien, a story that could have been generic (or worse, scented with flowery bulls---) turns into a precise, honest, and affecting drama. Read full review

Roger Ebert

Douglas plays Ben as charismatic, he plays him shameless, he plays him as brave, and very gradually, he learns to play him as himself. That's the only role left. Read full review

David Fear

A truly impressive portrait of self-destructive, smooth-talking alpha males, and a testament to an actor who waltzes across that Peter Pan–syndrome tightrope with the greatest of sleaze. Read full review

Rick Groen

Solitary Man makes too good on its title – it’s a fascinating character study isolated within a mediocre film. Read full review

Ty Burr

Too shapeless and cursorily plotted to fully work as a story, but Koppelman and his co-director, David Levien, generously surround the hero with reliable actors doing solid work; if you can get past the catastrophe of Ben’s behavior, the film’s a genuine pleasure. Read full review

Peter Rainer

For the literal-minded, there’s an added bonus: Johnny Cash singing Solitary Man over the opening credits. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

The actors are all charged up, too; there’s just nowhere in this script for them to go. Read full review

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User Reviews

Film_Fanatic_15

Nov 22, 2010

Michael Douglas is at his best in this dark comedy. The film is intelligent, sexy, funny, and pure fun. It gives you just enough drama to keep it interesting, while silently incorporating amusement when you least expect it. Jesse Eisenberg still shows he is a rising star, with raw actingMichael Douglas is at his best in this dark comedy. The film is intelligent, sexy, funny, and pure fun. It gives you just enough drama to keep it interesting, while silently incorporating amusement when you least expect it. Jesse Eisenberg still shows he is a rising star, with raw acting talent. You have Douglas' right hand man Danny DeVito, who gives a notable side role. The dialogue between Susan Sarandon's character and Michael Douglas' are some of my favorite moments, despite the several "WTF just happened" moments that will keep viewers wondering what other crazy detail will the cast unveil next. No complaints here.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SecretAgentGal

Sep 19, 2010

Michael Douglas fans will enjoy his flawless performance as disgraced businessman Ben Kalmen in the darkly funny Solitary Man.

Hailed as giving his best performance since Wonder Boys and Wall Street, Douglas plays an unlikeable but irresistible car salesman facing a mid-life crisis. HisMichael Douglas fans will enjoy his flawless performance as disgraced businessman Ben Kalmen in the darkly funny Solitary Man.

Hailed as giving his best performance since Wonder Boys and Wall Street, Douglas plays an unlikeable but irresistible car salesman facing a mid-life crisis. His doctor worries about Kalmen's EKG, and orders further tests. Kalmen flees reality as he schmoozes, drinks and parties his way to near-oblivion. We meet him again six years later.

Kalmen is determined to do all the things he ever wanted to do in life, he tells his loyal ex-wife Susan Sarandon. For him this means cheating, lying, and even enjoying a one-night stand with the daughter (Imogen Poots) of his current girlfriend (Mary-Louise Parker).

Douglas brings much depth and charisma to his character Kalmen. Along his downward spiral he seeks to mentor a nerdy college student (Jesse Eisenberg), and reunites with an old buddy (Danny DeVito), who exudes wit and wisdom as he operates a diner. Yet Kalmen's continued bad choices alienate almost everyone around him.

Solitary Man not only shows the personal costs of the ego run amuck in Kalmen's sex addiction, but the human side of a detestable man. Jailed for his business transgressions at the height of his fame as "New York's Honest Car Dealer," Kalmen begs with panache from his daughter (Jenna Fischer) and ex-wife.

David Levien and Brian Koppelman (who wrote and directed Knockaround Guys and The Girlfriend Experience) direct this showcase for Douglas with the help of an excellent cast. Koppelman also wrote Solitary Man's intelligent script.

Finally Sarandon and DeVito are the characters who genuinely understand and seek to help Ben. In his own twisty mind, Kalmen believes he is helping himself.

Douglas will reprise his role as Gordon Gekko in Oliver Stone's Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps (2010).… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

Casually

Jan 23, 2017

So close! Solitary Man is a masterclass in intelligent, hilarious but most of all truthful storytelling. The situations that Ben (Michael Douglas) finds himself in, and the resulting dialogues, are affecting because they are not strewn with Hollywood cliche plot twists. Instead we watch theSo close! Solitary Man is a masterclass in intelligent, hilarious but most of all truthful storytelling. The situations that Ben (Michael Douglas) finds himself in, and the resulting dialogues, are affecting because they are not strewn with Hollywood cliche plot twists. Instead we watch the slow and painful demise of a man who deserves his comeuppance and aren't left rolling our eyes at his predictable resurgence to glory.

With a little sprinkling of thicker plot and a less cheesy roll to credits this would be a classic.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

DawdlingPoet

Nov 28, 2021

This is a kind of interesting film. The main flaw is the main character, Ben Kalmen - someone who isn't very likeable. He has a way of distancing himself from others, including (of course) decent friends. The performances are ok and it's pretty watchable, if a bit cheesy/cringe-inducing atThis is a kind of interesting film. The main flaw is the main character, Ben Kalmen - someone who isn't very likeable. He has a way of distancing himself from others, including (of course) decent friends. The performances are ok and it's pretty watchable, if a bit cheesy/cringe-inducing at times perhaps, at worst. I suppose it was interesting to see how Ben worked around his situations, to not allow others to see (or perceive) him as he knew himself to be, indeed as he is - a bit of a drifter. It's not a film that will appeal to all but its ok.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

weisberger

Jan 13, 2011

The problem with this movie is its linearity. The protagonist is a manipulative single minded jerk with no real insight and that doesn't change. It's aggravating watching him, there is no growth, the plot is obvious. A disappointment.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Taplinger

Oct 21, 2010

To say this movie sucks gives it more weight than it's worth. The script is well-matched to the direction because both are done equally poorly. The only reason I watched it was because Salon.com liked it, but then it turns out that Matt Zoller Seitz reviewed it, and Salon should fire him.To say this movie sucks gives it more weight than it's worth. The script is well-matched to the direction because both are done equally poorly. The only reason I watched it was because Salon.com liked it, but then it turns out that Matt Zoller Seitz reviewed it, and Salon should fire him. The movie had only one surprise for me - that I made it to the end without walking out.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

EAPayne165

Jan 20, 2011

Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Why must a review be 150 characters long? Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Why must a review be 150 characters long? Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Why must a review be 150 characters long? Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Why must a review beAwful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Why must a review be 150 characters long? Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Why must a review be 150 characters long? Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Why must a review be 150 characters long? Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Why must a review be 150 characters long? Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Awful. Why must a review be 150 characters long?… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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