REVIEW: ‘Solitary Man’

This week, I was lucky enough to see a screening of “Solitary Man” at the Magnolia Theater. Which means dirty martinis, y’all. I only had one, I swear.

If I had to sum this movie up in one sentence, that sentence would be: It’s a smart, edgy film made around a pathetic stereotype of a man.

Michael Douglas plays main character Ben Kalmen, a former car dealer who has fallen on some hard times. Hard times, I should mention, that he’s brought entirely upon himself. He’s squarely in mid-life crisis mode. Unfortunately, he’s long past the age where it’s acceptable.

Kalmen isn’t an interesting character. What makes the movie interesting is just how far he’s willing to go to self-destruct.

He’s a man who treats women like objects. Even those closest to him. Women (and I think, most people) are to be used and discarded. The sad part is that he doesn’t seem to realize that these women are pulling the strings.

After hearing (well, more ignoring) some possibly bad news from a doctor, Kalmen goes on a self-destruction rampage. He conveniently forgets that his actions have consequences. As a result, he loses pretty much everything. He finds a way to squander every opportunity he’s offered.

Mary-Louise Parker shines as his “girlfriend.” (I swear, that woman is actually getting younger. If there’s a Fountain of Youth, she’s got the secret.) She and her 18-year-old daughter, played by Imogen Poot (a name I’ll have to practice saying without giggling) have the most dysfunctional relationship I’ve seen portrayed on screen. Putting Kalmen in the middle of it is like throwing vodka on your trashcan fire.

Susan Sarandon played the role that Susan Sarandon has been playing for years: the “I’ll accept you for who you are” ex-wife. She’s strong and she’s sexy and no matter what Kalmen does, she’s going to be there. Yes, she plays the part well, but c’mon Susan, don’t you think this role is a little tired?

Rounding out Kalmen’s closest relationships is his daughter, played by Jenna Fischer. Though their relationship is filled with tension, she’s still a girl who loves her daddy. She tries to be close to him, while he tries to push her away.

Jesse Eisenberg plays, shocker, an awkward college kid who by chance gets caught in Kalmen’s web. He is cute, he is quirky, he is Jesse Eisenberg.

The beginning was perfect. The end was perfect. I particularly loved the silent moments. Sandwiched in the middle was an hour and a half of a very real look at a man who is trying desperately to be an island. And failing miserably.