'SOLITARY MAN': Three Stars (Out of Five)
Michael Douglas stars in this comedy / drama written by Brian Koppelman and directed by Koppelman and David Levien. The team has previously co-written such films as 'OCEAN'S THIRTEEN', 'THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE (both directed by Steven Soderbergh), 'RUNAWAY JURY', 'ROUNDERS', 'WALKING TALL' and 'KNOCKAROUND GUYS' (Which they also both directed). The film features an impressive supporting cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Danny DeVito, Mary-Louise Parker, Susan Sarandon and 'THE OFFICE's Jenna Fischer. Despite all that talent the film only got a limited theatrical release (in which it made $4.35 million), some film festival play and is now dumped on video. The direct to video market is a lot bigger business than it used to be though and just about every major film star has appeared in a direct to video release. It no longer has anything to do with the film's quality it's just a matter of whether the studios think they can market the film to a theater going audience and even films with such high profile filmmakers and as many A list celebrities as this end up playing to a mostly home video audience!
Michael Douglas plays Ben Kalmen a once highly successful automobile businessman who was caught using unsavory business tactics and has now fallen greatly down the business ladder. He's also divorced and despised by his son-in-law. He keeps in contact with his ex (Sarandon), daughter (Fischer) and grandson (Jake Siciliano) but on uneasy terms due to his questionable behavior and known womanizing ways. He's now seeing a woman (Parker) due to her father's business connections and still sleeping with as many women as he can. He's asked to escort his girlfriend's daughter (Imogen Poots) to a Boston college campus which were his old stomping grounds. Due to his troubles with temptations he gets in more trouble and ends up alienating himself from almost all of his friends and family.
The movie is well directed and an interesting character study but the lead character is just too unlikeable for my taste. He's so despicable that it's almost impossible to root for him but that's what the movie wants you to do. They make him a very charismatic and likable guy in other ways and they do bring in a storyline that somewhat explains why he feels he needs to act the way he does but I still find his actions too hard to forgive. Douglas does a great job playing the guy and his performance is interesting. The supporting cast is all adequate and the directing and writing as well. The problem is that were left with no one to relate to and root for, as all of the other characters are underdeveloped, and it does feel like the film wants you to like and forgive Kalemen. Not a bad film but by no means a very good one either.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YDpWRaEnYQ
Michael Douglas stars in this comedy / drama written by Brian Koppelman and directed by Koppelman and David Levien. The team has previously co-written such films as 'OCEAN'S THIRTEEN', 'THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE (both directed by Steven Soderbergh), 'RUNAWAY JURY', 'ROUNDERS', 'WALKING TALL' and 'KNOCKAROUND GUYS' (Which they also both directed). The film features an impressive supporting cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Danny DeVito, Mary-Louise Parker, Susan Sarandon and 'THE OFFICE's Jenna Fischer. Despite all that talent the film only got a limited theatrical release (in which it made $4.35 million), some film festival play and is now dumped on video. The direct to video market is a lot bigger business than it used to be though and just about every major film star has appeared in a direct to video release. It no longer has anything to do with the film's quality it's just a matter of whether the studios think they can market the film to a theater going audience and even films with such high profile filmmakers and as many A list celebrities as this end up playing to a mostly home video audience!
Michael Douglas plays Ben Kalmen a once highly successful automobile businessman who was caught using unsavory business tactics and has now fallen greatly down the business ladder. He's also divorced and despised by his son-in-law. He keeps in contact with his ex (Sarandon), daughter (Fischer) and grandson (Jake Siciliano) but on uneasy terms due to his questionable behavior and known womanizing ways. He's now seeing a woman (Parker) due to her father's business connections and still sleeping with as many women as he can. He's asked to escort his girlfriend's daughter (Imogen Poots) to a Boston college campus which were his old stomping grounds. Due to his troubles with temptations he gets in more trouble and ends up alienating himself from almost all of his friends and family.
The movie is well directed and an interesting character study but the lead character is just too unlikeable for my taste. He's so despicable that it's almost impossible to root for him but that's what the movie wants you to do. They make him a very charismatic and likable guy in other ways and they do bring in a storyline that somewhat explains why he feels he needs to act the way he does but I still find his actions too hard to forgive. Douglas does a great job playing the guy and his performance is interesting. The supporting cast is all adequate and the directing and writing as well. The problem is that were left with no one to relate to and root for, as all of the other characters are underdeveloped, and it does feel like the film wants you to like and forgive Kalemen. Not a bad film but by no means a very good one either.
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YDpWRaEnYQ