The Soloist

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Bruce K Fast forward through all Steve Lopez's (Robert Downey Jr.) interactions with his baby momma, Mary (Catherine Kreener). Also fast forward through Steve's monologue and you will enjoy this movie. Wish the soundtrack had a better selection of classical music, but won't judge it too hard on that. Homeless scenes in LA are exaggerated and couldn't care less about the LA Times crew. As an aside: I had seen this movie around release date, didn't realize it until half way through rewatching it a decade later. Also makes me want to volunteer at my local soup kitchen and gives me faith in humanity. Even though that doesn't accurately reflect the homeless situation in LA. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/26/25 Full Review grah a Here's a deeply emotional film about the real pandemic affecting humanity right now. The problem being emotional imbalance (mental health) problems. To see the amount of negative, hyper critical comments and reviews highlights the level of unconsciousness in humanity right now. Here in lies the issue facing humanity. The huge lack of real empathy, compassion and understanding of human suffering that's going on, all around you everyday. Perhaps, negative reviews are coming from people who constantly ignore of even look down on homelessness. Meanwhile, people thrive for more more more and become more disconnected from reality surrounding them. With love.... Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/13/24 Full Review Dan R True story perfectly told in a way that captures you, you almost feel emotionally attached. This movie has a lot of heart. A big recommendation. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 05/08/24 Full Review Allen H Beautifully acted and uncommonly told true tale. The lack of narrative focus that is criticized helps this get under the skin. Not neatly packaged as many need. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/06/23 Full Review Daniel G If it weren't for some distractions that added little to the plot or to the description of the protagonists (we get it that Steven Lopez has a boring home life, so needs to chase raccoons), it would be a perfect balance of showing the importance or art to the lives of those who've somehow given up on normal life or who have really troubling mental issues Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 11/28/22 Full Review isla s I found this an intriguing watch - the story alone is somewhat fascinating but then the performances of the main characters (Robert Downey Jnr as an LA Times journalist Steve Lopez and moreso Jamie Foxx as the titular homeless musician Nathaniel. I was surprised to see Jamie Foxx in such a role - I'm not sure I'd have ever bet on him playing a down and out type. However, the music really makes the film stand out, with Foxx presumably performing the various pieces - violin pieces which sounded really quite haunting at times, particularly given the environment the pieces were sometimes played in. It is clearly a film with a moral conscience, a social commentary aspect to it but I didn't feel like I was being actively lectured to or anything like that, as such. Its a thoughtful film - just the sort of film I tend to like. I suppose you could say its about hope and adversity, poverty, those sorts of themes, although that makes it sound really quite cheesy, potentially enforced cheesy, which I'd find off putting if I assumed that to be the case - as I say, I didn't feel this film really forced any moral messages to me as the viewer, as such, not forced down my throat. There are undoubtedly sad moments, scenarios depicted but its more general, in terms of Steve seeing the environment in which Nathaniel has had to live in, to get by while being out of employment. Its not the happiest of films in that way but neither is it one where we learn to become attached to a great number of people who we follow their specific journeys or anything like that, its more a sort of a philosophical type watch, as we (including the journalist) see what Nathaniel sees and it may be thought provoking in that sense. The plot pace is perhaps a little slow for some - it could be said that there's little obvious plot direction but that didn't greatly bother me, as I enjoyed seeing Nathaniels reaction to being given new opportunities, new creative opportunities and the like. It is quite an audibly atmospheric watch and indeed the classical music made me consider about the positive health impacts of listening to classical music, for mindfulness type purposes perhaps. I'd recommend watching it (or moreso listening to it) with a good sound setup, if at all possible. I rented it via a film streaming site, plugged in my computer speakers and it sounded particularly good with the speakers in use. Anyway, I can't deny that it lifted my spirits at times and also saddened me in others, due to the circumstances in the scene present. There is some poignant dialogue at times - some short and thoughtful sentences that I liked. One example being 'Beauty is art; music is beauty.' and another being when journalist Steve says 'Every now and then, the hearts, minds, and wallets of the city's officials open simultaneously. And when that happens, every now and then, the city is a better place for it. ' Ok their a little sugary sentimental but I was ok with that. I'd say it has a strong theme or presence of humanity in it - also understanding and self expression. If you like instrumental, especially classic type music or/and interesting biopics, or/and social commentary related films, then I'd gladly recommend this film, not least for the two main performances given by Robert Downey Jnr as journalist Steve Lopez and Jamie Foxx, as Nathaniel Ayers. Also, Tom Hollander (who starred in the titular role of the BBC TV show Rev) portrays another character, Graham Claydon. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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