The Solitary Man (1979)

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A family man must make an adjustment after his wife of fifteen years one day blurts out that she wants a divorce and leaves him to construct a new life.

The Solitary Man 1979 Movie Summary
"The Solitary Man" is a 1979 made-for-television drama movie directed by John Llewellyn Moxey and starring Earl Holliman, Carrie Snodgress, and Lara Parker. The story unfolds around Jimmie Dancer (Holliman), a successful entrepreneur who suddenly faces a life-altering crisis when he is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Plot Overview
The film starts with Jimmie Dancer at the height of his career as a top advertising executive. He is ambitious, driven, and consumed by his work. His individual life likewise appears to be on the right track, with a helpful partner, Anne (Snodgress), and a loving household. Nevertheless, this idyllic existence is shattered when Jimmie undergoes a regular medical examination and the results reveal that he has a major and possibly fatal heart condition.

Offered only a few months to live, Jimmie's viewpoint on life right away alters. The film explores the emotional chaos and rejection that Jimmie goes through as he faces his mortality. He starts to reassess his top priorities, and the reality of his circumstance begins to impact every aspect of his life, from his relationships to his career.

Individual Transformation and Relationships
"The Solitary Man" delves into the complex web of relationships that Jimmie has actually constructed over the years. His relationship with his better half Anne is put to the test as Jimmie becomes more introspective and separated. Anne has a hard time to manage Jimmie's medical diagnosis and the prospects of a life without him, which includes pressure to their marital relationship.

At the same time, Jimmie starts to reconnect with his estranged child, Karen (Parker), who he had actually ignored due to his work commitments. These interactions with his household highlight Jimmie's singular journey, as he seeks to apologize and discover a sense of peace before it's far too late.

Work and Legacy
Expertly, Jimmie is faced with the truth of his legacy. He begins to question the worth of his life's work and whether his constant pursuit of success was ever worth it. Jimmie is likewise confronted with the issue of how to prepare his business and employees for his departure, which prompts him to consider his function as a coach and the influence he has had on others.

The Solitary Journey
Throughout the film, the audience witnesses Jimmie's singular journey as he attempts to come to terms with his medical diagnosis. The title of the film itself is indicative of the reflective and isolated path he strolls, despite being surrounded by those who look after him. Jimmie's interactions with others begin to bear an undercurrent of finality, as he attempts to leave a favorable impression and set things right with those he may have wronged.

Conclusion
"The Solitary Man" is ultimately a poignant portrayal of the human condition when confronted with the inevitability of death. It is a contemplative narrative that starkly addresses the styles of death, self-reflection, and the value of individual connections. The movie's ending is left rather open, allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions about Jimmie's fate and the effect of his final days. While it might lack the action and phenomenon of other movies, "The Solitary Man" supplies a thoughtful and emotional assessment of life's fleeting nature and the universal desire for meaning and reconciliation in the face of the end.

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