The Soloist

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2:27

The Soloist

PG-13

2009

1h 57m

Drama

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

56%

Tomatometer

202 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Los Angeles columnist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) has reached an impasse in his life. His marriage is on the rocks, and he's disillusioned with his job. Then, while wandering through L.A.'s Skid Row, he spots a homeless man (Jamie Foxx) playing a two-stringed violin with a virtuoso's skill. Lopez initially thinks of the man, named Nathaniel Ayers, as just a story idea. But as he begins to unravel the mystery of Ayers' strange fate, Lopez realizes that a change is happening within himself.

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Critics Consensus

Though it features strong performances by its lead players, a lack of narrative focus prevents The Soloist from hitting its mark.

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

Aug 30, 2018

The Soloist is an absorbing, illuminating film which is dramatically engaging, keeps it real, in a psychiatric sense, and is never patronising.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 12, 2017

A

It's an amazing story.

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Dan Jolin

Empire Magazine

Sep 25, 2009

4/5

Intelligent and uncompromising, with knock-out performances from Downey Jr. and Foxx.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Sep 5, 2023

2.5/4

It’s a potentially powerful little examination of human life that doesn’t look too closely, remains enjoyable for the duration, but unfortunately, fades from memory as soon as it’s over.

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Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Nov 29, 2020

6/10

Problems in pacing arise as the relatively simple plot is stretched thin.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 23, 2020

2.5/4.0

Redeemed by Robert Downey, Jr.'s usual standout performance.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 7, 2026

The Soloist = a *3* star Movie

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Mickey B.

@Mickerdoo Dec 26, 2025

I was a little wary about this being a white savior type of story and felt that wrung true. Took Lopez quite a while to learn to listen.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Nov 4, 2025

The worldwide gross is $43,731,621.00.

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Ionela C

@Ionela95 Jul 15, 2025

Stunning performances, but the movie could have been better, can't wait to read the book

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mark g

@Mark_Alan_G. Jun 19, 2025

With Downey and Foxx, should have been better. But the story is not cohesive and very disjointed. Found myself checking clock a lot. Am aware that dealing with sycizophrinic individuals is far from uniform, but for the sake of entertainment, edit better.

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Bruce K

@RT25871596 Mar 26, 2025

Fast forward through all Steve Lopez's (Robert Downey Jr.) interactions with his baby momma, Mary (Catherine Kreener). Also fast forward through Steve's monologue and you will enjoy this movie. Wish the soundtrack had a better selection of classical music, but won't judge it too hard on that. Homeless scenes in LA are exaggerated and couldn't care less about the LA Times crew. As an aside: I had seen this movie around release date, didn't realize it until half way through rewatching it a decade later. Also makes me want to volunteer at my local soup kitchen and gives me faith in humanity. Even though that doesn't accurately reflect the homeless situation in LA.

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Joe Wright

Director

Jamie Foxx

Nathaniel Ayers

Robert Downey Jr.

Steve Lopez

Catherine Keener

Mary Weston

Tom Hollander

Graham Claydon

LisaGay Hamilton

Jennifer Ayers-Moore

The Soloist: Official Clip - I'm Honored to be Your Friend

1:14

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The Soloist: Official Clip - I Don't Have Schizophrenia

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The Soloist: Official Clip - You're Never Gonna Cure Nathaniel

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The Soloist: Official Clip - You Are My God

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The Soloist: Official Clip - Don't Ever Put Your Hands On Me

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The Soloist: Official Clip - A New Cello

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The Soloist: Official Clip - It's a Dream Out Here

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The Soloist: Official Clip - Partial Responsibility

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The Soloist: Official Clip - Meeting Nathaniel

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2:27

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Synopsis

Los Angeles columnist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) has reached an impasse in his life. His marriage is on the rocks, and he's disillusioned with his job. Then, while wandering through L.A.'s Skid Row, he spots a homeless man (Jamie Foxx) playing a two-stringed violin with a virtuoso's skill. Lopez initially thinks of the man, named Nathaniel Ayers, as just a story idea. But as he begins to unravel the mystery of Ayers' strange fate, Lopez realizes that a change is happening within himself.

Director: Joe Wright
Producer: Gary Foster, Russ Krasnoff
Screenwriter: Susannah Grant
Distributor: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: DreamWorks Pictures, Krasnoff/Foster Entertainment, Working Title Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Drug Use|Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 24, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.7M
Runtime: 1h 57m

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