MovieChat Forums > Solitary Man (2010) Discussion > Point of the movie

Point of the movie

posted 14 years ago by tommys-0215
13 replies | jump to latest

What was the point of the movie? That you shouldn't think before you sleep with somebody? That they might perhaps be the daughter to your current girlfriend, or they might be friends with your daughter? You also shouldn't sleep with a person before your grandson's birthday or you might miss it.
The morals of people now is pathetic. I mean, at least if your a married person, you can't obviously live that kind of life. The movie really doesn't condone Michael living that way. All the movie tells you it's fine to sleep around, just don't go too far to the point of sleeping with your girlfriend's daughter.
Michael should be grateful that his family is still with him after all the crap he's put them through

[–] all3rd 13 years ago

I was totally lost by the point of this movie basically I guess its a cheating perv will always be the same I guess?

[–] alexdewett 13 years ago

In my opinion, I think you might be missing the point.
The film doesn't condone his behaviour, its only Michael Douglas' character who condones it, and gives unscrupulous advice and gives out the impression that he's winning.
He thinks he has it all sussed, then he watches as all of his relationships and also his business contacts all desert him.

I think the moral is that you might get away with that kind of behaviour in the short run, having fun doing what you like, sleeping around, letting people down, but your life will suffer the consequences of your actions.

[–] rdoyle29 13 years ago

I doubt most of us needed 90 minutes with this ridiculous *beep* to be told that destructive behavior has consequences.

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[–] nutsberryfarm 12 years ago

stop doing what you're not good at? why didn't he become a gigolo? he wasn't good as a father. husband. car salesman. he liked to have sex & not get emotional about it. like a gigolo. he dressed like one too.

“Can't go wrong with taupe."- Wynn Duffy

[–] Boricanator 12 years ago

I think his conversation with Danny De Vito near the end sums up the point, or part of the point of the film.

Douglas asks him about how he can work with all the sexy college girls coming in his diner and not hitting on them.

What De Vito says about the girls coming back for homecoming growing old and losing their shine really nails it. We are all heading towards old age and will not longer be on the top of things. That is why it is important to stick to family. In the end, your family is the only one that is going to care for you unconditionally. They don't care how good you look, or how much money you make.

Douglas's character had basically shunned his daughter, grandson and wife, for these hot girls and for his hot job. Yet these people either betray him, fire him and even hurt him. Towards the end, only the one's that actually cared for him were the people he pushed away.

In short, the point of the film is, that you need to surround yourself with the people that are there for you unconditionally and appreciate them. Those that are not there for you in that mindset, will leave you when you are of no value to them.

[–] aworgill 12 years ago

Exactly. That was a perfect line from DeVito, and he delivered it perfectly. And his own long-lasting relationship makes me wonder if there was a bit of himself in that character. You have to work at it, and sometimes it can get boring, but it can also be deep and fulfilling to stay with the same person.

[–] udidwht 11 years ago

Not quite...here in the USA most ultimately put their parents/family member into some god awful rest home only to never go and visit them. So much for family eh? In the end all you've got is yourself. Don't forget that.

[–] patriotssuck 12 years ago

There is none. It's simply a story about a man who is afraid of getting old,, so he takes insane risks just to feel alive.

The premise is absurd.

[–] batleft 12 years ago

Come to Hollywood. The premise was far from absurd. I see Ben Kalmans every day all day long. It's about power, control, getting hoisted on one's own petard.

[–] MovieMusings 11 years ago

I agree with all those who recognize the messages in the conversations with Danny DeVito's character (and these two actors have enjoyed working together for 40 years!).

I'd add that the conversations with his ex-wife, especially the last one, is also a key part of the message.

I think it's about a guy who is not at peace with his mortality, and trying to "feel alive" which, sadly, ruins the life to which he's desperately clinging.

Being at peace with the realities of life frees one to embrace life, such as it is, with all its imperfections, frailties and complexities. That is what makes his ex so beautiful - she's at peace, and her radiance is available to him...if only...

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I'm trying real hard to be the shepherd.

[–] rommedahl-0603 10 years ago

What I liked about this movie was that the point was different to most other indie comedy-dramas. While the point in the average movie of this type is "carpe diem" this movie says "Be careful not to carp the diem too much" because it ruined the life of Douglas' character to live life without thinking about consequences of his actions.