On Location // Solitary Man at Fordham

During my freshman year, film crews began appearing around campus. Once, when I had a free afternoon, I stood outside Thebaud Hall and watched Michael Douglas sit on a bench, pondering something while cameras recorded his pensive face and the backdrop of Fordham. I watched as they filmed Douglas watching a blonde girl stroll by Thebaud Hall, again and again. Another time, Susan Sarandon joined Douglas on the bench in front of Thebaud. Apparently the already picturesque gothic building did not quite meet Hollywood's standards--the ivy-strewn garden area wassupplemented by silk vines, stapled to nearby tree trunks and rails.

For the fall 2008 semester, it was common to stumble upon crews in the most unlikely places--in Martyr's Lawn, in front of the Walsh Library while I studied inside, on Edward's Parade or the steps of Freeman Hall. We knew little about the plot of the movie, Solitary Man (2009), but we knew Fordham would be recast in the movie as a small school near Boston. This wasn't unusual. Love Story (1970) and The Exorcist (1973) both filmed some scenes at Fordham, but it masqueraded as Harvard and Georgetown, respectively.

I finally saw Solitary Man a few weekends ago. After year of suspense, I was pleased to discover that Solitary Man was an excellent film with great acting. In addition to Douglas, Susan Sarandon, Danny DeVito, Mary-Louise Parker, Jenna Fischer and Jesse Eisenberg all gave stellar performances. The film centered around Douglas' character, a once-famous car dealer whose life crumbles around him. Though his character is unlikable, he plays his part wonderfully, and the film is enjoyable. Also, about a third of the film took place on Fordham's campus; it was fun to see movie stars walking the same paths I take on my way to class.

--Christine Barcellona, FCRH '12