Solitary as he was, I kept wanting to know more about Ben Kalmen. Solitary Man was all about people, and that's about as real as it gets.
Having once been a famous and renowned New York car salesman, Ben Kalmen's life is heading downhill fast. He carries himself as if he's not a day over 21, and clings to the image he once enjoyed. Chasing young girls, living without rules, Ben is headed for trouble. Solitary Man bears witness to his decisions.
To begin with, the movie was well cast. Michael Douglas, playing the solitary man himself, was surrounded by talented actors who shared the screen as separate but equal entities. They weren't afraid to be themselves and in the end unified the story. Furthermore, Douglas showed every line, wrinkle, and mark of age that acknowledged his confidence and at the same time his vulnerability. Being able to connect to the characters is always a mark of a successful film, and it was definitely present here.
Solitary Man didn't feel rushed. Most scenes allowed for conversation, no matter how long it took, creating some truly realistic moments when I couldn't have been more involved. In this detail, the film could breathe in and exhale as its story fell out piece-by-piece. A story that felt important, having been deliberated over in each frame.
One qualm with the film focuses on the portrayal of several female characters. While there were certainly plenty of strong women parts, there were also times when stereotypical buy-me-a-drink-and-we'll-sleep-together images were more than questionable, if not perhaps insulting. It wasn't enough to detract from the film, but it was something to chew on, considering this was a movie from a man's point of view. Michael Douglas is far from a troll, but at age 66, is definitely someone (disregarding his famous persona) you might think twice about sleeping with.
In today's film, there is little, if any, true conversation going on. Even the "˜simple story' is now injected with explosives and twists. Solitary Man took a successful risk in trusting that the audience would be interested in the story of Ben Kalmen. It was a welcomed change, and one that led to an enjoyable film experience.
