California Solo

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California Solo

Released Nov 30, 2012

1h 34m

Drama

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68%

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25 Reviews

55%

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250+ Ratings

A boozy, washed-up rocker (Robert Carlyle) must finally come to terms with his inner demons when he is threatened with deportation in the wake of a DUI arrest combined with an old drug charge.

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Liam Lacey

Globe and Mail

Lewy's script doesn't cop out with any sentimental redemption, but neither does it establish why the self-destructive Lachlan deserves our sympathy.

Rated: 2/4

Mar 1, 2013

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Walter V. Addiego

San Francisco Chronicle

Mainly worth seeing as a showcase for the appealing Scottish actor Robert Carlyle, who plays a has-been rocker reduced to eking out a living on an organic farm in Southern California.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 11, 2013

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Mark Olsen

Los Angeles Times

In some sense, "California Solo" is like meeting an engaging stranger: At first there's a certain air of enigmatic mystery that makes you want to spend time with them, but eventually things turn awkward and you just want to get away.

Rated: 2.5/5

Dec 6, 2012

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Nicholas Bell

IONCINEMA.com

A melancholy portrait of a man forced to face significant demons from his past, imbued by the simple, sad, solo that is Carlyle's affecting performance.

Aug 6, 2019

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Annlee Ellingson

Paste Magazine

Carlyle gives a nuanced performance--perhaps too nuanced, as the character's overall arc amounts to a blip of resignation.

Rated: 5.8/10

Dec 31, 2012

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John Esther

UR Chicago Magazine

It is not that the film is bad or boring so much as it is forgettable.

Dec 8, 2012

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Audience Member

Carlyle was very good in this movie, but it wasn't an original or memorable story.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

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Audience Member

California Solo is about a Scottish man that is pulled over one night for drunk driving and due to this little incident actions for his deportation start happening and he tries to fight tooth and nail to stay in the USA even goes as far a getting his ex and his daughter involved. THe story is touching etc and shows that immigrants are not just the arabs or the asians it can also be white folk. The reviews say that Robert Carlyle you may know him better for his role in "The Full Monty" He plays well but i have seen better performances. Nice story would be better in novel form. This does not have anything that would effect children but the subject matter could be found to be boring for young minds.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

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Audience Member

This is one of the best movies I have seen in a while.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

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Audience Member

This was a nice little indie film featuring an actor who has faded out of the mainstream (Carlyle) but continues to do solid performances in film. Its kind of a sad film, but it also brings good vibes and inevitably facing your past, sooner or later.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/10/23

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rosemarie i

This film follows Lachlan MacAldonich, a former British rock star, through the inevitable resolution of a lifetime of bad decisions. This isn't a fairy tale; though far from sunny, the promise of a second chance does appear before the film's end. The expertise of this tiny shred of hope further adds to the film's authenticity and emotional impact. Carlyle's performance is deeply honest, and he seems perfectly at home with MacAldonich's rage and fear and regret. The linear narrative expressed isn't what a typical movie-goer would expect, but it works here thanks to an incredibly human story and a good supporting cast. Though there isn't much new ground to tread with the life of a rock star gone wrong, California Solo manages to find its footing in this soulful, truthful tale.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

As always, Robert Carlyle's performance is nothing short of beautiful. Nuanced and layered as his characters always seem to be. He's a man who makes mistakes, but you feel for him, want him to pick himself up and be better. The only thing that holds me back from giving it 5 stars is the ending, which felt a wee bit unsatisfying and anticlimactic.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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Marshall Lewy

Director

Robert Carlyle

Lachlan

Alexia Rasmussen

Beau

Kathleen Wilhoite

Catherine

A Martinez

Warren

Brad Greenquist

Piper

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Synopsis

A boozy, washed-up rocker (Robert Carlyle) must finally come to terms with his inner demons when he is threatened with deportation in the wake of a DUI arrest combined with an old drug charge.

Director: Marshall Lewy
Producer: Mynette Louie
Screenwriter: Marshall Lewy
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 30, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 6, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $15.4K
Runtime: 1h 34m

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