Solitary Man Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A guy who’s aging sleeps with his girlfriend’s daughter, loses everything, then maybe gets a ride home; existential crisis ensues, car optional.

🍿 Solitary Man: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: Ben’s Initial Success and Health Scare

Ben Kalmen, a charismatic and successful car dealer, seems to have it all. However, a routine medical check-up reveals a potential heart problem, setting in motion a chain of events that drastically alters his life. This initial health scare serves as a catalyst, triggering a midlife crisis that upends his personal and professional stability. He postpones treatment and avoids the diagnosis.

The Downward Spiral: Affairs and Financial Ruin

Six years later, Ben’s life is in disarray. He’s divorced, facing financial difficulties, and entangled in numerous affairs with younger women. His reckless behavior stems from a fear of aging and a desire to recapture his lost youth and vitality. This pursuit of fleeting pleasures leads to a series of poor decisions that further isolate him from his family and jeopardize his future.

College Visit and the Ultimate Betrayal

Ben accompanies Allyson, the daughter of his current girlfriend, Jordan, to visit his alma mater. During the trip, he sleeps with Allyson, a shocking act that has profound consequences. This betrayal not only destroys his relationship with Jordan but also alienates him from his daughter and grandson. He continues to mentor a young student named Daniel.

Rock Bottom: Loss of Relationships and Career

Ben’s actions catch up to him as he loses his girlfriend, his chance at a new dealership, and his connection with his daughter. Facing eviction, he takes a job at a diner owned by an old college friend, Jimmy. His attempts to recapture his past continue to fail, leading to further humiliation and a physical confrontation. Daniel distances himself after Ben makes a pass at his girlfriend.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Ben Kalmen (Michael Douglas): A formerly successful car dealer whose life spirals downward due to his business indiscretions and insatiable pursuit of younger women.
• Nancy Kalmen (Susan Sarandon): Ben’s ex-wife who remains understanding and offers him support despite his past infidelities and self-destructive behavior.
• Jordon Karsch (Mary-Louise Parker): Ben’s wealthy girlfriend who supports him until his actions cross a line, leading to the end of their relationship.
• Allyson Karsch (Imogen Poots): Jordon’s daughter who becomes entangled with Ben, triggering significant consequences for all involved.
• Daniel Cheston (Jesse Eisenberg): A college student who seeks Ben’s mentorship, only to be betrayed and disappointed by his behavior.
• Jimmy Marino (Danny DeVito): Ben’s old college friend who provides him with a job and some much-needed support during his downfall.
• Susan Porter (Jenna Fischer): Ben’s daughter, who initially supports him but eventually distances herself due to his irresponsible actions and character flaws.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Ben Kalmen: “You can’t cheat death, Benny. Nobody can, no matter how many 19-year-olds you talk into your bed.” – Jimmy, Ben’s old college friend, delivers this line, highlighting Ben’s futile attempts to evade aging and mortality.
• Ben Kalmen: “I just decided to plunge into life with full gusto.” – Ben explains to Nancy why he went ‘off the rails’ after facing his own mortality.
• Nancy Kalmen: “That’s no excuse.” – Nancy responds to Ben’s explanation with understanding, but points out his behaviour isn’t excusable.
• Ben Kalmen: “Are you getting it, you know, where it counts?” – Ben gives unsolicited and inappropriate sex advice to Allyson.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,360,548
• Worldwide Gross: $5,682,554

💥 Solitary Man Reviews

Personal Review

I have to say, Michael Douglas really nails the flawed, almost pathetic charm of Ben Kalmen. It’s a character you almost want to root for, even when he’s making the worst decisions. There were a few moments, like when he’s talking to his grandson, that really got to me. The ending felt a bit ambiguous, though. I was left wondering if he’d actually learned anything, or if he was just going to keep making the same mistakes.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Michael Douglas”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven dramas”
  • “Those who appreciate films about midlife crises”
  • “Adults who enjoy stories exploring moral complexities”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content and references”
  • “Infidelity”
  • “Language”
  • “Alcohol use”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief Violence”

Professional Reviews

• Spectrum Culture: “Douglas’ performance is captivating, but his character becomes less likable as ‘Solitary Man’ goes off the rails. The reason for his behavior is shallow and unbelievable. The premise is that he is trying to recapture his youth, but instead it feels that he is taking what he can get.
• Austin Chronicle: “The actors are all charged up, too; there’s just nowhere in this script for them to go. Why is it that Majorie Baumgartner is right with this statement as actors like Michael Douglas are stuck with the story and can’t move anywhere else in the movie. They have little to nothing to act on.
• IMDb: “Douglas gives a top drawer turn in one of his best roles to date. Interesting character study by rookies Brian Koppelman and David Levien allows their star a fine role to sink his teeth into sublimely subtle yet with a dollop of fine gravitas.

Audience Reactions

Michael Douglas’s performance makes you care about a character you shouldn’t.: Douglas’s nuanced portrayal of a flawed man who struggles with his choices

Overall Consensus: Michael Douglas’ performance is a major highlight, with viewers praising his realistic and nuanced depiction of the character. Critics were more mixed.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Michael Douglas and Danny DeVito, who play college friends in the film, were roommates in New York City in the 1960s, adding a layer of authenticity to their on-screen chemistry.”
• “The film’s title, ‘Solitary Man,’ takes its name from the Neil Diamond song of the same name. A version performed by Johnny Cash is featured in the film, underscoring the themes of loneliness and isolation.”
• “Directors Brian Koppelman and David Levien, primarily known as screenwriters (Rounders, Ocean’s Thirteen), made their directorial debut with ‘Solitary Man.'”

🖥️ How to Watch Solitary Man?

Solitary Man is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable availability. You can also find it for purchase on DVD and Blu-ray through online retailers like Amazon. Be sure to compare prices across platforms to find the best deal.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Solitary Man, you might like these similar films:

• Wonder Boys (2000): Features a flawed, aging professor played by Michael Douglas navigating personal and professional crises with humor and pathos, similar to ‘Solitary Man’.
• About Schmidt (2002): Explores themes of aging, regret, and finding meaning in life after retirement, sharing thematic elements with the character’s journey in ‘Solitary Man’.
• Sideways (2004): Focuses on two middle-aged men on a road trip, grappling with their past mistakes and uncertain futures, mirroring the introspective elements of ‘Solitary Man’.
• American Beauty (1999): Deals with a middle-aged man experiencing a midlife crisis, leading to unconventional and often destructive behavior, echoing Ben Kalmen’s actions.

🛒 Solitary Man Related Products

• Wall Street (Blu-ray): Michael Douglas at his finest as Gordon Gekko. A look at the high stakes and moral compromises of the financial world, themes that echo in ‘Solitary Man’. A must-have to complete any Michael Douglas collection.
• The Kominsky Method: The Complete Series (DVD): Starring Michael Douglas, this series humorously tackles aging, relationships, and career woes, mirroring themes in ‘Solitary Man’. Excellent acting and sharp writing make this a captivating watch.
• Wonder Boys [Blu-ray]: Another great Michael Douglas performance. The film has some common themes that are shared in Solitary Man, and has been compared to it by many.
• Basic Instinct [Blu-Ray]: Another performance where Michael Douglas is the star. A classic Douglas performance with Sharon Stone.

🎧 Soundtrack

Solitary Man features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Solitary Man” – performed by Johnny Cash

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Solitary Man (Interview with Joe Flanigan)

Ever wondered why ‘Solitary Man’ was used in that super cool Stargate Atlantis episode ‘Vegas’? Joe Flanigan spills the beans in this interview, and it’s way more interesting than you’d think! It is cool to see how actors can connect with soundtracks in such a personal level, right?

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