The Soloist

• The MovieSet Ultimate Review of 'The Soloist'

  Published on: April 24, 2009

  By Phillip Nakov

  Synopsis: Based on a true story and on the book written by LA Times writer Steve Lopez, The Soloist is a poignant and engrossing tale featuring solid performances by Robert Downey, Jr. and Jamie Foxx. Downey plays Lopez, a reporter searching for a good story, who happens to meet a homeless violinist named Nathaniel Ayers (Foxx) who is beautifully playing a violin on only two strings. Ayers claims to be a former Julliard student but somehow has wound up homeless on the streets of Los Angeles. Sensing there is more to Nathaniel than meets the eye, Lopez embarks on a journey to discover the story that brought Nathaniel to where he is and at the same time becomes his only friend. Can the act of caring be enough to help a person who has a mental illness?

  Stars: Robert Downey, Jr. , Jaime Foxx, Catherine Keener

  Written by: Susannah Grant (screenplay) and Steve Lopez (book)

  Directed by: Joe Wright

  Distributed by: DreamWorks/Paramount

  Opening on: 2,024 screens nationwide

  EXPECTATIONS

  What I'd Seen - A well-cut trailer that made Downey Jr. and Foxx look Oscar-worthy in their performances. The poster was really hit or miss in my eyes... it's the trailer that sells it.

  What I'd Heard - I heard that it was a shame the movie did not open late last year as planned. The movie was supposed to have been a strong contender for some award consideration and that Foxx was robbed of his chances for some noms. I had also heard people ask "who opens a serious Academy-worthy picture in April" and "why didn't they wait till Fall?"

  What I Wanted - A serious, well-told story about a man helping another man in this big, sometimes-faceless concrete jungle of Los Angeles that made a difference in the way Ayers lives out his life.

  EXPERIENCE

  What Turned Me On -

  The gritty reality of life on skid row in downtown Los Angeles and their use of actual local homeless who were hired on for the production.

  They may not be the best actors in the world, but they were real. The large number of actual homeless used in this production and who were given the opportunity to work for a few days on this production is a true testament to the dedication these filmmakers made to not gloss over the plight and crisis that exists on the streets of Los Angeles.

  The interactions between Downey Jr. and Foxx are staggering in their realness and the feelings they are able to draw forth from the audience were awe inspiring.

  What Turned Me Off -

  The fact that Steve Lopez did not have control over his own personal life distracted me from the story of helping the homeless man. Lopez's issues seemed trivial compared to the desperate situation of the homeless man living out of his grocery cart. The overall narrative seemed to lose perspective at times making for a shaky point of view.

  I could have used less time spent with Lopez and his girlfriend and more time with Lopez trying to figure out how to help his new found friend.

  AFTERMATH

  I Left Thinking - I never thought I'd see a movie where Downey Jr. was actually playing a serious role without the benefit of an elaborate flying costume or foreign accents. Both Foxx and Downey Jr. delivered such terrific performances it is no wonder there was Oscar buzz flying last fall when it was supposed to have been released to qualify.

  I Left Saying - That was a depressing yet realistic look at the plight of the homeless here in Los Angeles and a riveting retelling of Steve Lopez's story.

  Expiry Date - I feel this picture may have two. Once a few weeks after it opens in theaters and then again very close to the start of award season. If positioned and marketed correctly, they may just be able to re-release it later this year and hope it is able to pick up some nods for it's leading men.

  Well worth the price of admission, The Soloist delivers some great performances from its leading men, but the story structure is the weak link in this otherwise solid pic.

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• Jamie Foxx: Why I took a chisel to my million dollar smile

  Published on: November 26, 2008

  The Mail Online has chat with Jamie Foxx on his latest role in 'The Soloist'. Co-starring Robert Downey Jr., Foxx plays a schizophrenic musical genius who struggles through homelessness. Foxx talks about wanting to give his new character depth and character - and decided to chip his tooth in the process. He also shares the challenge of pushing himself into the same mental state of his character. 'The Soloist' is out in theaters April of 2009.

  "We’re all a little crazy in Hollywood but going to the edge was really scary...the character hears voices in his head, and I had to submerse myself into that state. There were some scary moments..."

  Read the full article here:

  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1088574/Jamie-Foxx-Why-I-took-chisel-million-dollar-smile.html

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