The story surely is interesting, but in this form, not terribly enlightening.
The Soloist (2009)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:181
Fresh:99
Rotten:82
Average Rating:5.9/10
Consensus: Though it features strong performances by its lead players, a lack of narrative focus prevents The Soloist from hitting its mark.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for thematic elements, some drug use and language.
Runtime: 1 hr 56 mins
Genre: Dramas
Theatrical Release:Apr 24, 2009 Wide
Box Office: $31,670,931
Synopsis: Director Joe Wright (ATONEMENT, PRIDE & PREJUDICE) brings the true story of an unlikely friendship to life in THE SOLOIST. An award-winning columnist with the Los Angeles Times, Steve Lopez (Robert... Director Joe Wright (ATONEMENT, PRIDE & PREJUDICE) brings the true story of an unlikely friendship to life in THE SOLOIST. An award-winning columnist with the Los Angeles Times, Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) ultimately becomes an advocate for L.A.’s homeless population when he meets Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), a talented musician who's been playing a two-stringed violin while living on the streets and battling mental illness. Struck by Ayers’s passion for music, Lopez begins to write a series of columns about his new acquaintance while attempting to get him off the streets and playing music again. Amidst numerous achievements and setbacks, Lopez and Ayers develop a friendship based on mutual respect despite their many differences, and Lopez rediscovers his humanity. While the focus of the film is the relationship that develops between the two men, the film also tackles the harsh realities of homelessness and the plight of the mentally ill. Lending authenticity to the story, a number of L.A.’s homeless population were cast as extras in the film. An additional subplot is the quandary that daily newspapers face as the world and the news increasingly go electronic, and popular news becomes more sensationalistic. Foxx is both heartbreaking and life-affirming as Ayers, whose undiagnosed schizophrenia drove him away from Juilliard as a young man, and whose fierce independence keeps him on the streets. Downey Jr. turns in a nuanced performance as Lopez, who finally realizes that while he may not be able to save Ayers, he can accept him as he is. Catherine Keener, Lisa Gay Hamilton, and Tom Hollander appear in supporting roles. [More]
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey, Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey, Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, Lisa Gay Hamilton
Director: Joe Wright
Director: Joe Wright
Screenwriter: Susannah Grant
Producer: Gary Foster, Russ Krasnoff
Composer: Dario Marianelli
Studio: DreamWorks Distribution LLC
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Release:
Aug 4, 2009
DVD Features:
- Region [unknown]
- NTSC
- Keep Case - Sensormatic
- Widescreen
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
- Deleted Scenes
Featurette:
- 1. An Unlikely Friendship: Making The Soloist
- 2. Kindness, Courtesy and Respect: Mr. Ayers + Mr. Lopez
- 3. ne Size Does Not Fit All: Addressing Homelessness in Los Angeles
- 4. Beth's Story
Audio Commentary:
- 1. Director Joe Wright
Reviews for The Soloist
A colorful portrayal of friendship, the transformative power of music and an examination of Los Angeles homelessness that entertains as well as it informs.
The film’s biggest problem lies really in its pacing. Every time the plot takes an interesting turn or moves forward, it’s stalled by one musical montage after another.
Great acting by Keener, Downey, and Foxx but far too long and too many ECUs. More Keener would have helped. She's something special.
There are moments when Downey verbalizes a simple line of dialogue that becomes so profound through his magic of subtle emotion we're transformed.
Although Jamie Foxx's performance in 'The Soloist' is worth the ticket price, the film fails to leave audiences with a satisfying ending.
I liked The Soloist more than most disease/triumph over adversity movies. It's more believable, more sincere and just more interesting than most. I just can't get over the feeling of filmmakers patting themselves on the back..."
Blessed with superb performances by Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx, 'The Soloist' deserves consideration during this year's awards season.
The movie bears a close resemblance to a slightly better "Resurrecting the Champ," which revolved around boxing rather than music. The filmmakers should have taken a few cues from "Marley & Me," which had a sweet and endearing quality while employing a...
We expect beautiful music from The Soloist, but we suffer through some blaring false notes along the way.
...it's a shame The Soloist may get ignored by moviegoers and critics groups alike as it features a couple of the best performances we're likely to see in all of 2009.
[Some will] wonder how I could bash a story so "touching," so "humane," so "heartwarming." One word: manipulation.
I wish The Soloist had done more than pay lip service to this subject, but the traces of what might have been are still resonant.
The Soloist keeps skirting the gassy clichés of the uplifting triumph-of-the-underdog movie before ultimately surrendering to soppy sentimentality.
In general, I hate these kinds of movies. I find them tedious, boring, pretentious and long-winded.
It’s a safe, inspirational film, but it’s an exceedingly well crafted one.
The writer, Susannah Grant, director Joe Wright, and especially the two superb leading actors all give the film life and humanity.
Latest News for The Soloist
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April 23, 2009:
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The environment needs saving so Hollywood is doing its part to go green by opening recycled versions of Fatal Attraction and Fight Club in hopes of attracting young adults. In a... More...
April 21, 2009:
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Earlier this decade, Joe Wright directed two very English movies from two very English novels, both which had the fortune of achieving international crossover appeal. 2005's... More...
April 20, 2009:
Jamie Foxx riveting as schizophrenic savant in his best role since Ray. ![]()
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| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 66% 66% | Public Enemies |
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
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| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
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| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
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| 47% 47% | The Girl From Monaco |
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