In some respects, Mr. Weinstein has been his own worst enemy from the start. In the film community, he was long known as a bully with a reputation for bottomless aggression. If he has found himself alone, those who know him say, it is largely because he has a habit of pushing those close to him away.

There is a long list of people who have tried — and failed — to help him. In the past three years alone, Mr. Weinstein has either fired or been left by several lawyers, some of whom, like David Boies, Lisa Bloom and Benjamin Brafman, are among the most prominent in their field.

He also had a highly public falling out with Michael Sitrick, his onetime publicity adviser.

His bossy and sometimes bellicose persona could become a factor in the trial. Not only has he second-guessed his lawyers and changed them several times, hampering his own defense; he has also tested the patience of the judge, James M. Burke, clashing with him over the use of a cellphone in the courtroom, then filing court papers accusing the judge of being biased.

As the trial approaches, Mr. Weinstein’s health has deteriorated sharply. Mr. Currao said that Mr. Weinstein was not well and has diabetes and hypertension. In December, he underwent a bilateral laminectomy, a back surgery his representative said was needed to repair his spine after a traffic accident in August, which occurred when he swerved his car to avoid hitting a deer.

After the surgery, Mr. Weinstein began using a walker with two yellow tennis balls affixed to its legs to smooth his passage and soon faced accusations he was exaggerating his injury in a bid for public sympathy.

He was so annoyed by the widespread disbelief about his health that he went behind his current lawyers’ backs and gave the interview to The Post in order, as he put it, “to show that I wasn’t faking.”

While Mr. Weinstein declined to discuss the state of his finances with The Times — he wrote that his priorities did not include his “personal belongings” — prosecutors in his case have said that he has sold at least six properties in recent years for nearly $60 million.