SummaryIn The Soloist, an emotionally soaring drama about the redemptive power of music, journalist Steve Lopez discovers Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A. As Lopez endeavors to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both thei...
SummaryIn The Soloist, an emotionally soaring drama about the redemptive power of music, journalist Steve Lopez discovers Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A. As Lopez endeavors to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both thei...
This kind of movie quickly falls apart if the actors overplay the inherent sadness of the situation, and thankfully the stellar cast never makes that mistake.
I found this an intriguing watch - the story alone is somewhat fascinating but then the performances of the main characters (Robert Downey Jnr as an LA Times journalist Steve Lopez and moreso Jamie Foxx as the titular homeless musician Nathaniel. I was surprised to see Jamie Foxx in such a role - I'm not sure I'd have ever bet on him playing a down and out type. However, the music really makes the film stand out, with Foxx presumably performing the various pieces - violin pieces which sounded really quite haunting at times, particularly given the environment the pieces were sometimes played in.
It is clearly a film with a moral conscience, a social commentary aspect to it but I didn't feel like I was being actively lectured to or anything like that, as such. Its a thoughtful film - just the sort of film I tend to like. I suppose you could say its about hope and adversity, poverty, those sorts of themes, although that makes it sound really quite cheesy, potentially enforced cheesy, which I'd find off putting if I assumed that to be the case - as I say, I didn't feel this film really forced any moral messages to me as the viewer, as such, not forced down my throat. There are undoubtedly sad moments, scenarios depicted but its more general, in terms of Steve seeing the environment in which Nathaniel has had to live in, to get by while being out of employment. Its not the happiest of films in that way but neither is it one where we learn to become attached to a great number of people who we follow their specific journeys or anything like that, its more a sort of a philosophical type watch, as we (including the journalist) see what Nathaniel sees and it may be thought provoking in that sense.
The plot pace is perhaps a little slow for some - it could be said that there's little obvious plot direction but that didn't greatly bother me, as I enjoyed seeing Nathaniels reaction to being given new opportunities, new creative opportunities and the like. It is quite an audibly atmospheric watch and indeed the classical music made me consider about the positive health impacts of listening to classical music, for mindfulness type purposes perhaps. I'd recommend watching it (or moreso listening to it) with a good sound setup, if at all possible. I rented it via a film streaming site, plugged in my computer speakers and it sounded particularly good with the speakers in use.
Anyway, I can't deny it lifted my spirits at times and also saddened me in others, due to the circumstances in the scene present.
There is some poignant dialogue at times - some short and thoughtful sentences that I liked. One example being 'Beauty is art; music is beauty.' and another being when journalist Steve says 'Every now and then, the hearts, minds, and wallets of the city's officials open simultaneously. And when that happens, every now and then, the city is a better place for it. ' Ok their a little sugary sentimental but I was ok with that. I'd say it has a strong theme or presence of humanity in it - also understanding and self expression.
If you like instrumental, especially classic type music or/and interesting biopics, or/and social commentary related films, then I'd gladly recommend this film, not least for the two main performances given by Robert Downey Jnr as journalist Steve Lopez and Jamie Foxx, as Nathaniel Ayers. Also, Tom Hollander (who starred in the titular role of the BBC TV show Rev) portrays another character, Graham Claydon.
Downey Jr. in one of his best roles without the IM armor. Real life story about how friendship save a lost soul. Jamie Foxx is touching as a musician who has to fight against his inner demons.
You can't help but feel a connection to Downey and Foxx and, to a lesser degree, a rooting interest in the story. But try as Wright might, he never figures out a way to bring us in -- much less manipulate us -- cinematically.
With all the hallmarks of a prestige picture, chief among them a great cast and creative crew and an "important" message, The Soloist plays its tune with a frequently heavy hand.
As a cello player of 5 1/2 years, I really appreciate this movie's message and theme overall. And even with that said, the movie isn't that bad. It has its ups and downs, and sometimes the story has some holes, but the way music is portrayed in this movie is so accurate, almost capturing the true meaning of music itself. And the dramatic movie you might want as well is definitely there too, dealing with themes like addiction and rage. This is a true movie that might be a little lost sometimes, but it should find its way back into your TV so that you can watch it for yourself.
The story might not know where the hell its going, but "The Soloist" at least succeeds in showing powerful performances of Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr.
In what had the conceptual, talent and makings of a fantastic movie, this film loses its way about halfway through and teeters back and forth until the viewer moves from wanting the story to go the way it is leading, to the viewer just wanting it to end. Fortunately, the movie does pick up toward the last half hour. The actual ending is very sweet and probably more realistic than the Hollywood ending it could have had. At the very least, this movie is a snapshot of the plight of homeless people and the fact that each one is unique, with their own story and are worthy of respect as human beings.
the overdose casts catastrophic images..
The Soloist The Soloist is a character driven musical drama about a journalist discovering a talented homeless musician and justifies it by offering the appropriate stage to him. Music playing a vital role on conveying the message, Wright tells a tale that rhymes and makes you tap on its uplifting beats. The background score is extraordinary, the sound effects are sharp, the camera work is busy and yet competent with decent cinematography and editing that makes it fast and effective at the same time. The magnitude of the intensity is communicated directly through maker's depiction of various episodes of characters that never gets pretentious nor undercooked. The pathos world through which it lures the audience in, works until it flows through the tale, as soon as it gets manipulative, the overdose casts catastrophic images onto us where the earned respect up till then, is shucked away only to leave a long lasting impression on the audience. Downey Jr. is reserved and mature than others as always whilst on the other hand challenging him with equivalency Foxx is original in his innocence. The narration by Downey Jr. is thoughtful along with debatable conversation that are layered and above all, Foxx's murmuring and his ability to bare with it and to top it off respond to it; their chemistry is electrifying. Armed with a repetitive and over thought out adaptation, Wright's execution is comparatively good and binds it all with a gritty practical approach. Few meltdowns where the emotions communicates fluently, an innocent concept and the caliber of the cast that Wright fiddles with, are the high points of the feature. The spark that ignites the passion and enthusiasm among the viewers wears off in its latter stages due to the over chewing of an idea. The Soloist is a poorly ridden potential premise that should undeniably be appreciated but beyond that, it is a forsaken land.
I strongly disliked this film. It tells the story a story of a journalist (Downey Jr.) who meets a mentally ill musician (Foxx) and begins to build a relationship with him, however, I never fully understood why Downey Jr's character wanted to help him in the first place. Therefore this film was impossible for me to connect with because I didn't care for either of the main characters. Joe Wright is a great director, but this film just didn't do it for me.