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Review: The Soloist First review on here, so I will explain that I will not give a summary of the film because you can find that anywhere. This is analysis. Moving on. The Soloist, stars Robert Downey Jr. as L.A. Times columnist Steve Lopez and Jamie Foxx as Nathaniel Ayers Jr., a former Julliard celloist who suffers from some form of mental illness. It is the real-life story of Lopez’s relationship with Ayers and his attempts to help him. It is directed by Joe Wright, helmer of Pride & Prejudice and Atonement. First and foremost, The Soloist is a very moving story and is almost completely true (Lopez’s relationship with his Editor as his ex-wife is not). That is one of the reasons to see this film. The other is the performances of Foxx and especially Downey. Foxx, an Oscar winner for Ray, envelops himself in the character much like he did in that film. Downey seems to bring a lot of his own personality to the role of Steve Lopez and it fits perfectly in the contexts of the film and plays wonderfully in the scenes with him and Foxx. Downey is on a role that is rarely seen, especially considering his prior history before his fantastic performance in 2007’s Zodiac. However, the film is hurt by a lack of vision. Wright seems like he is undecided about what story he wants to tell, and conversely, how he wants to tell it. Lopez is the focus of much of the film, which is fine considering the kind of hands that character is in, however the film will go back and forth from telling Lopez’s story and Ayers. Ayers story is very interesting, and occasionally the film will take a look back at his earlier years, but these scenes seem a bit forced, although needed to develop the character. The best moments in this film are when Lopez and Ayers are together and you see a friendship developing, however strange it may be. The best of these is when Lopez takes Ayers to the LA Philharmonic and the music is expressed through nothing but lights flashing to the music and it perfectly gives us the feeling that someone like Ayers feels at those moments. It was a wonderful choice by the filmmaker. Overall, this is definitely a movie you should see. The acting is superb, and the story is very touching. Also, it touches on the homeless problems facing Los Angeles, which was very well done. If you can get past a little bit of directorial meandering, The Soloist is a splendid film. Grade: B or ★★★ ½ (Out of 5)

Review: The Soloist

First review on here, so I will explain that I will not give a summary of the film because you can find that anywhere. This is analysis. Moving on.

The Soloist, stars Robert Downey Jr. as L.A. Times columnist Steve Lopez and Jamie Foxx as Nathaniel Ayers Jr., a former Julliard celloist who suffers from some form of mental illness. It is the real-life story of Lopez’s relationship with Ayers and his attempts to help him. It is directed by Joe Wright, helmer of Pride & Prejudice and Atonement.

First and foremost, The Soloist is a very moving story and is almost completely true (Lopez’s relationship with his Editor as his ex-wife is not). That is one of the reasons to see this film.

The other is the performances of Foxx and especially Downey. Foxx, an Oscar winner for Ray, envelops himself in the character much like he did in that film. Downey seems to bring a lot of his own personality to the role of Steve Lopez and it fits perfectly in the contexts of the film and plays wonderfully in the scenes with him and Foxx. Downey is on a role that is rarely seen, especially considering his prior history before his fantastic performance in 2007’s Zodiac.

However, the film is hurt by a lack of vision. Wright seems like he is undecided about what story he wants to tell, and conversely, how he wants to tell it. Lopez is the focus of much of the film, which is fine considering the kind of hands that character is in, however the film will go back and forth from telling Lopez’s story and Ayers. Ayers story is very interesting, and occasionally the film will take a look back at his earlier years, but these scenes seem a bit forced, although needed to develop the character. The best moments in this film are when Lopez and Ayers are together and you see a friendship developing, however strange it may be.

The best of these is when Lopez takes Ayers to the LA Philharmonic and the music is expressed through nothing but lights flashing to the music and it perfectly gives us the feeling that someone like Ayers feels at those moments. It was a wonderful choice by the filmmaker.

Overall, this is definitely a movie you should see. The acting is superb, and the story is very touching. Also, it touches on the homeless problems facing Los Angeles, which was very well done. If you can get past a little bit of directorial meandering, The Soloist is a splendid film.

Grade: B or ★★★ ½ (Out of 5)


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