Update: Brian Koppelman kindly updated some details on the film in our comments section below. Though featured in the trailer, the film does not contain a voiceover. As for the score, despite some mixups in early press reports, Michael Penn is the sole composer on the project.
The first trailer has been released for Brian Koppelman and David Levein’s star-studded, indie-dramedy “Solitary Man.”
Featuring the likes of Michael Douglas, Jesse Eisenberg, Susan Sarandon, Mary Louise-Parker, Jenna Fischer, Danny DeVito, Olivia Thirlby and Imogen Poots, the film follows Douglas’ protagonist, a car magnate, as he faces the consequences of his business and romantic indiscretions and their effects on his personal and professional lives.
Boring voice-over aside, the film does look like a promising, hearty indie flick with the generally positive reviews from last year’s Toronto International Film Festival were noting Douglas’ dominating performance and support from Poots, Sarandon and DeVito as highlights. It has to be noted though that Eisenberg once again looks like that awkward teen, more reason why we look forward to see him try something different in David Fincher’s “The Social Network.”
The film will be Koppelman and Levien’s sophomore directorial effort with the pair most recently scribing Steven Soderbergh’s “Ocean’s Thirteen” and “The Girlfriend Experience” after their quiet directorial debut “Knockaround Guys,” which starred Barry Pepper, Vin Diesel, John Malkovich and Dennis Hooper. They’re also known for penning the very underrated gambling film “Rounders” with Matt Damon and Ed Norton.
“Solitary Man” hits theaters May 7th with Johnny Cash’s song of the same name featuring over the opening credits (it’s of course a Neil Diamond song originally). The score was penned by Clint Mansell (“Moon,” “Requiem For A Dream”) and Michael Penn (“Boogie Nights, ” “Hard Eight,” “Sunshine Cleaning”). Though interestingly enough the TIFF credits have them both listed, and IMDB lists Penn as the sole composer, which suggests to us they both worked on the film independently, but the bulk of the material ultimately chosen was the latter musician’s work. Who knows, maybe Mansell will get one of those “additional music” credits. Update: Brian Koppelman himself posted in our comments section. Early reports from TIFF were confused. Micheal Penn composed the score. The end.
I saw this film in Toronto and thought it was great. I think it's almost too bad that Michael Douglas will be getting all the nomination love for his role in Wall Street 2..but he's great enough in this film to get nominated. Also love that Imogen Poots
I was surprised to hear the guy from (500) Days of Summer at the start and laughed out loud when he says, "This is a story…"
Overall, this feels like a movie that we've seen time and time again.
This is Brian Koppelman. Thanks for writing about the film. Michael Penn did the score. And did an amazing job. Clint scored Knockaround so there was some confusion in the early press on this. But only Michael wrote music for this one.
Also, have no fear, there is no voice-over in the movie. It's only in the trailer. Thanks again.
Thanks for writing in Brian, we'll fix momentarily. Feel feel to write in as well, we're all ears.
I see Michael Douglas is getting alot of work for 2010.
It's good to see him back in the game.
Saw this last night. Thought it was quite good.
Whats the song that begins to play half way through the trailer?