69
Metascore
31 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 91Entertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumEntertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumWith an outstanding screenplay by Brian Koppelman and disciplined direction by Koppelman and David Levien, a story that could have been generic (or worse, scented with flowery bulls---) turns into a precise, honest, and affecting drama.
- 80New York Magazine (Vulture)David EdelsteinNew York Magazine (Vulture)David EdelsteinIt’s smoothly written and smartly paced, and Michael Douglas is riveting.
- 80VarietyJustin ChangVarietyJustin ChangA movie of no small generosity: It offers audiences the pleasures of a screenplay whose every acerbic line is firmly rooted in character, and it hands Michael Douglas one of his best roles in years.
- 80Time OutDavid FearTime OutDavid FearA truly impressive portrait of self-destructive, smooth-talking alpha males, and a testament to an actor who waltzes across that Peter Pan–syndrome tightrope with the greatest of sleaze.
- 75The A.V. ClubNoel MurrayThe A.V. ClubNoel MurrayThe second movie nestled within Solitary Man--the one that doesn’t show up often enough--is about a man of rare eloquence and honesty, sharing his views on salesmanship and sex with anyone who’ll listen.
- 70Village VoiceMelissa AndersonVillage VoiceMelissa AndersonThe film courageously shows its reprobate hero sliding further, not redeeming himself.
- 65MovielineMichelle OrangeMovielineMichelle OrangeAs a character study Solitary Man, like Ben, has no center. What he amounts to is a pretty consistent set of attitudes and behaviors which, while shocking, are not all that interesting.
- 50The Hollywood ReporterKirk HoneycuttThe Hollywood ReporterKirk HoneycuttThis attractive cast may help get an audience, but they will surely puzzle over such a downward-spiraling story that lacks inner logic.