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The Soloist
2009
Columnist Steve Lopez is at a dead end. The newspaper business is in an uproar, his marriage to a fellow journalist has fallen apart and he can't entirely remember what he loved about his job in the first place. Then, one day, while walking through Los Angeles' Skid Row, he sees the mysterious bedraggled figure Nathaniel Ayers, .. Read more
| Starring | Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander |
|---|---|
| Director | Joe Wright |
| Genres | Drama |
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The Soloist
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Columnist Steve Lopez is at a dead end. The newspaper business is in an uproar, his marriage to a fellow journalist has fallen apart and he can't entirely remember what he loved about his job in the first place. Then, one day, while walking through Los Angeles' Skid Row, he sees the mysterious bedraggled figure Nathaniel Ayers, pouring his soul into a two-stringed violin. At first, Lopez approaches Ayers as just another story idea in a city of millions. But as he begins to unearth the mystery of how this alternately brilliant and distracted street musician, once a dynamic prodigy headed for fame, wound up living in tunnels and doorways, it sparks an unexpected quest. Imagining he can change Ayers' life, Lopez embarks on a quixotic mission to get him off the streets and back to the world of music. But even as he fights to save Ayers' life, he begins to see that it is Ayers--with his unsinkable passion, his freedom-loving obstinacy and his valiant attempts at connection and love--who is profoundly changing Lopez.
| Starring | Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, LisaGay Hamilton |
|---|---|
| Director | Joe Wright |
| Studio | UNIVERSAL PICTURES |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 49 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | DVD: unknown Production year: 2009 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (2)
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Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey make sweet music in The Soloist... read more »
- LOVEFiLM
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Most helpful member's review
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37 out of 37 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
A MUST SEE
2009/2010 will definitely be Robert Downey Jnr's. i hope he charges alot because his acting skills are amazing.
Now, this film is a definite must see. the story is very captivating and sad, the performances AMAZING. i really enjoyed this beautiful film from start to finish. it kept me glued to the big screen. i definitely recommend it
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- BorisK from Essex
- Posted 13 Aug 2009 11:34
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Most recent members' review
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11 out of 11 people found this review helpful
[Highly rated reviewer]
Not The Inspirational Movie You Would Expect
The film is titled 'The Soloist' and one will naturally assume that the film centers around Nathaniel Ayers, considering the fact that he is the one playing the violin alone in various parts of L.A. However, the film is really about Steve Lopez and how the relationship with Ayers changes him.
Robert Downey Jr. offers up a fine performance as Steve Lopez - his calm and subtle performance slowly bringing out the nature (and humor) of the character Lopez, who at first sees Nathaniel simply as an interesting subject to write about. However, the more time Steve spends with Nathaniel, the more Steve wants 'fix' him and to help him succeed as a musician. This proves to be a difficult task, for both Steve and Nathaniel, and their relationship becomes quite complex.
This film also introduces the idea that mentally ill people do better if they have someone, whom they trust, who takes an abiding interest in them. It also poses another very important question; should mentally ill people be forced to take medication? Would they have more freedom to decide correctly for themselves if they were first medicated? The film addresses this question but does not attempt to give an answer.
This could have been one of those 'Hollywood ending' movies where everybody gets saved and although the movie does underplay the seriousness of the conditon of schizophrenia, this is not one of those 'inspirational' movies. It doesnt offer salvation and a happy end. It's an honest portrayal of a relationship with a mentally ill person and just shows that having a friend to help along the way can make the burden of mental illness easier to bear. -
News and features
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Fantastic Mr Foxx
- 24 Nov 2009
Is there anything Jamie Foxx can’t do? If he hasn’t directed yet, you can bet it’s only a matter of time because it seems everything he’s ever put his mind to, he’s been wildly successful. To state the obvious: he’s an Oscar winner (best actor, for Ray). He’s notched up number one albums and singles. And he first came to public attention as a stand-up comedian – a career that led him to the hit TV series In Living Color, alongside the Wayans... Read more
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The Soloist
Columnist Steve Lopez is at a dead end. The newspaper business is in an uproar, his marriage to a fellow journalist has fallen apart and he can't entirely remember what he loved about his job in the first place. Then, one day, while walking through Los Angeles' Skid Row, he sees the mysterious ...
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