Goodbye Solo

Name: Goodbye Solo
Genre: Drama
Released: March 27, 2009
Duration: 91 min
Rating: 89
Cast: Red West, Souleymane Sy Savane

2009

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings

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Goodbye Solo

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Movie Details & Credits

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: March 27, 2009 | R

Starring: Red West, Souleymane Sy Savane

Summary: On the lonely roads of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, two men forge an improbable friendship that will change both of their lives forever. Solo is a Senegalese cab driver working to provide a better life for his young family. William is a tough Southern good ol‘ boy with a lifetime of regrets. One man‘s American dream is just beginning,On the lonely roads of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, two men forge an improbable friendship that will change both of their lives forever. Solo is a Senegalese cab driver working to provide a better life for his young family. William is a tough Southern good ol‘ boy with a lifetime of regrets. One man‘s American dream is just beginning, while the other‘s is quickly winding down. But despite their differences, both men soon realize they need each other more than either is willing to admit. Through this unlikely but unforgettable friendship, Goodbye Solo deftly explores the passing of a generation as well as the rapidly changing face of America. (Roadside Attractions)… Expand

Director: Ramin Bahrani

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: R

Runtime: 91 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Roger Ebert

Wherever you live, when this film opens, it will be the best film in town. Read full review

100

Liam Lacey

At heart, though, every moviegoer can recognize a love story, no matter how unusual the context. Read full review

100

Reyhan Harmanci

Almost frighteningly alive. Read full review

Michael Sragow

It's intelligent and emotional, not studied or sappy. Read full review

Michael Phillips

The acting's so true, and Bahrani's so observant, you find yourself caring about everyone onscreen. Read full review

J.R. Jones

The emotion here is genuine, but the outlook is tough: in Bahrani's movies we're all aliens to each other. Read full review

James Berardinelli

Ultimately, Goodbye Solo works because the screenplay, actors, and director combine to craft honest, compelling individuals. Read full review

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User Reviews

RHD

Apr 13, 2009

The characters in the third Bahrani film are more nuanced that his previous, very good, efforts. Red West plays a man trying to distance himself from the world and Savane is wonderful, perhaps naive and eventually wise as he attempts to break through West's character's tough The characters in the third Bahrani film are more nuanced that his previous, very good, efforts. Red West plays a man trying to distance himself from the world and Savane is wonderful, perhaps naive and eventually wise as he attempts to break through West's character's tough exterior. Bahrani doesn't tie up all the loose ends -- that way you still think about the characters days after you've seen the movie. We're still talking about the movie three days later. If you want cotton candy, go see Confessions of a Shopaholic. If you want one of the best character studies in film since Magnolia, go see this movie!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

NickJ

Sep 10, 2009

One of the greatest films of this or any decade. I have seen Bahrani's two other films, and think that they are wonderful as well. However, even they are not comparable to Goodbye Solo, which brilliantly explores the theme of overwhelming, unfixable loneliness and the passing of One of the greatest films of this or any decade. I have seen Bahrani's two other films, and think that they are wonderful as well. However, even they are not comparable to Goodbye Solo, which brilliantly explores the theme of overwhelming, unfixable loneliness and the passing of generations in modern day America. A.O. Scott said that this was an "almost perfect film". If any movie has ever come in close contact with perfection, it is this… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

FilmJ

May 4, 2009

Few films rise above the white noise of the indie film world to actually standout as something remarkable and worth watching. I would make this compulsory viewing for all students in film making 101. No budget. No Stars. Make something wonderful.

1 of 2 users found this helpful

JimF

May 7, 2009

"Goodbye Solo" is reminiscent of the cinema verite of films like "The Bicycle Thief" and "The White Balloon", but the template that Bahrani and his screenwriter use, from Kiorastami's "A Taste of Cherry" , seems in conflict with the natural direction the performers want to take the "Goodbye Solo" is reminiscent of the cinema verite of films like "The Bicycle Thief" and "The White Balloon", but the template that Bahrani and his screenwriter use, from Kiorastami's "A Taste of Cherry" , seems in conflict with the natural direction the performers want to take the material, and the use of a plot element in the form of a found notebook near the end intended to explain what the film wisely leaves unsaid, is both contrived and implausible. That said, the performances, particularly the two leads and an engaging young Hispanic girl, are among the most captivating in recent memory, giving the film a charm and humanity that make it well worth seeing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DawdlingPoet

Jun 2, 2022

I thought this was a slightly bland film but it became quite poignant by the end. There are unanswered questions by the end but there's some substance to it too. Not a bad watch. I think it was the subtlety of the ending that managed to move me. The taxi driver character, Solo, is veryI thought this was a slightly bland film but it became quite poignant by the end. There are unanswered questions by the end but there's some substance to it too. Not a bad watch. I think it was the subtlety of the ending that managed to move me. The taxi driver character, Solo, is very talkative, if anything in an over the top way, which may bother some but its this contrast with him talking quite urban talk, quite informally, while the other character, William, is clearly in a bit of personal bother, being quite serious and in a low state of mind, not wanting to reveal too much about his life. Yes, I'd recommend this film.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

carlitod

Sep 3, 2009

Maybe i expected too much, but this seemed only mildly inspiring and quasi entertaining. it felt like it was trying... I don't know just not enough substance.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Chris

Apr 13, 2009

0 of 0 users found this helpful

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