Solitary Man
A car magnate watches his personal and professional life hit the skids because of his business and romantic indiscretions.
The film commercial failure against its mid-range budget of $15.0M, earning $5.0M globally (-67% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its unique voice within the comedy genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Solitary Man (2009) exemplifies deliberately positioned plot construction, characteristic of Brian Koppelman's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 14-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Ben Kalmen sits alone in his car, refusing a medical test. We see a successful, confident man who controls his world and refuses to acknowledge vulnerability or mortality.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 11 minutes when Jordan asks Ben to escort her daughter Allyson to a college interview, offering him a chance to stay at her father's place. This forces Ben into proximity with youth and reminds him of his declining status—he's now doing favors to maintain relationships.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 23 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to Ben makes the active choice to seduce Allyson, his girlfriend's daughter. This crosses a moral line that will destroy his last stable relationship and represents his commitment to denial over growth., moving from reaction to action.
At 45 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat Jordan discovers Ben's betrayal with Allyson. This false defeat reveals the consequences of his choices—he loses his last romantic relationship and any remaining financial support. The stakes are now survival., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 68 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Ben is fired from Jimmy's dealership after his affair with the student is exposed, destroying his oldest friendship. He has now lost everything: business, marriage, girlfriend, daughter's respect, and his best friend. Metaphorical death of his old identity., reveals the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 72 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. Ben receives word about his health or has a moment of clarity. He realizes he must finally face the medical reality he's been avoiding. This represents choosing truth over denial, though it's uncertain whether he'll truly change., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Solitary Man's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 14 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs systematic plot point analysis that identifies crucial turning points. By mapping Solitary Man against these established plot points, we can identify how Brian Koppelman utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Solitary Man within the comedy genre.
Brian Koppelman's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Brian Koppelman films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Solitary Man represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Brian Koppelman filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Brian Koppelman analyses, see Knockaround Guys.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Ben Kalmen sits alone in his car, refusing a medical test. We see a successful, confident man who controls his world and refuses to acknowledge vulnerability or mortality.
Theme
Ben's ex-wife or daughter suggests that his constant need for validation and inability to face reality is destroying him. The theme: facing mortality and truth versus living in denial and false youth.
Worldbuilding
Establish Ben's fallen empire: he was a successful car dealership mogul, but his life has collapsed. His marriage failed, business imploded, relationships strained. He's now relying on others, particularly his girlfriend Jordan, while maintaining a facade of charm.
Disruption
Jordan asks Ben to escort her daughter Allyson to a college interview, offering him a chance to stay at her father's place. This forces Ben into proximity with youth and reminds him of his declining status—he's now doing favors to maintain relationships.
Resistance
Ben debates whether to confront his reality or continue his pattern. He takes the college trip, interacts with Allyson, and we see his charm and also his inability to resist inappropriate behavior. His old friend Jimmy offers perspective on aging gracefully.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Ben makes the active choice to seduce Allyson, his girlfriend's daughter. This crosses a moral line that will destroy his last stable relationship and represents his commitment to denial over growth.
Premise
Ben explores his new world of diminished circumstances. He takes a job at Jimmy's car dealership, flirts with students, reconnects with his daughter, and continues his pattern of charm masking desperation. The premise: watching a man refuse to change despite losing everything.
Midpoint
Jordan discovers Ben's betrayal with Allyson. This false defeat reveals the consequences of his choices—he loses his last romantic relationship and any remaining financial support. The stakes are now survival.
Opposition
Ben's world contracts further. He alienates his daughter Susan, exploits Jimmy's friendship, and pursues a young student despite the obvious inappropriateness. His charm is wearing thin. Everyone begins to see through him, and his health issues lurk in the background.
Collapse
Ben is fired from Jimmy's dealership after his affair with the student is exposed, destroying his oldest friendship. He has now lost everything: business, marriage, girlfriend, daughter's respect, and his best friend. Metaphorical death of his old identity.
Crisis
Ben sits alone in his desperation, confronting the emptiness. He has nowhere to turn, no one left to charm, no resources. This dark night forces him to face what he's been running from: his mortality, his age, his fear.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Ben receives word about his health or has a moment of clarity. He realizes he must finally face the medical reality he's been avoiding. This represents choosing truth over denial, though it's uncertain whether he'll truly change.
Synthesis
Ben attempts reconciliation. He faces his daughter, acknowledges his failures, and takes tentative steps toward authenticity. He cannot undo the damage, but he stops running. The finale is quiet—a man finally sitting with himself.
Transformation
Ben sits alone again, mirroring the opening, but this time with acceptance rather than defiance. He's still solitary, but no longer running. The transformation is subtle—not redemption, but the beginning of honest self-awareness.