The Soloist

PG-13

Released Apr 24, 2009

1 hr. 57 min.

Drama

Biography

TRAILER

for The Soloist: Trailer 1

List

56%

207 Reviews

Tomatometer

56%

250,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Los Angeles columnist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) has reached an impasse in his life. His marriage is on the rocks, and he's disillusioned with his job. Then, while wandering through L.A.'s Skid Row, he spots a homeless man (Jamie Foxx) playing a two-stringed violin with a virtuoso's skill. Lopez initially thinks of the man, named Nathaniel Ayers, as just a story idea. But as he begins to unravel the mystery of Ayers' strange fate, Lopez realizes that a change is happening within himself.

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Critics Consensus

Though it features strong performances by its lead players, a lack of narrative focus prevents The Soloist from hitting its mark.

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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 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 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 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

robert p

While not a *5* star or a *4* star movie, because some part of the film are slow and drag on the running time, it's good to see the movie *does* have a story to tell, even though it's not a profound story, still it *could* have been better but the focus was on 90,000 homeless people in the city. So this movie *does* serve a purpose thus the *3 & 1/2* star rating!!!

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Touching story of a genius street musician with mental health problems and a reporter who needs a story. Great acting by Downey Jr and Jamie Foxx. A few parts were a little long and tedious, but an enjoyable, uplifting movie nonetheless. A good rainy day treat.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/04/23

Full Review

Serge L

A true story that plunge us into the world of mental hell and homelessness. How it can be challenging and difficult to help them. It's annoying and I wouldn't want to do that but I can take it in a film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

12/14/21

Full Review

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Joe Wright

Director

Jamie Foxx

Nathaniel Ayers

Robert Downey Jr.

Steve Lopez

Catherine Keener

Mary Weston

Tom Hollander

Graham Claydon

LisaGay Hamilton

Jennifer Ayers-Moore

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The Soloist: Official Clip - I'm Honored to be Your Friend

1:14

The Soloist: Official Clip - I Don't Have Schizophrenia

2:06

The Soloist: Official Clip - You're Never Gonna Cure Nathaniel

1:57

The Soloist: Official Clip - You Are My God

1:59

The Soloist: Official Clip - Don't Ever Put Your Hands On Me

2:13

The Soloist: Official Clip - A New Cello

2:13

The Soloist: Official Clip - It's a Dream Out Here

2:01

The Soloist: Official Clip - Partial Responsibility

1:11

The Soloist: Official Clip - Meeting Nathaniel

2:11

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The Soloist: Trailer 1

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Deborah Ross

The Spectator

The Soloist is an absorbing, illuminating film which is dramatically engaging, keeps it real, in a psychiatric sense, and is never patronising.

Aug 30, 2018

Full Review

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

It's an amazing story.

Rated: A

Sep 12, 2017

Full Review

Joshua Rothkopf

Time Out

Rated: 3/5

Nov 17, 2011

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

It’s a potentially powerful little examination of human life that doesn’t look too closely, remains enjoyable for the duration, but unfortunately, fades from memory as soon as it’s over.

Rated: 2.5/4

Sep 5, 2023

Full Review

Mike Massie

Gone With The Twins

Problems in pacing arise as the relatively simple plot is stretched thin.

Rated: 6/10

Nov 29, 2020

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Redeemed by Robert Downey, Jr.'s usual standout performance.

Rated: 2.5/4.0

Sep 23, 2020

Full Review

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Synopsis

Los Angeles columnist Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) has reached an impasse in his life. His marriage is on the rocks, and he's disillusioned with his job. Then, while wandering through L.A.'s Skid Row, he spots a homeless man (Jamie Foxx) playing a two-stringed violin with a virtuoso's skill. Lopez initially thinks of the man, named Nathaniel Ayers, as just a story idea. But as he begins to unravel the mystery of Ayers' strange fate, Lopez realizes that a change is happening within himself.

Director: Joe Wright
Executive Producer: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Jeff Skoll, Patricia Whitcher
Screenwriter: Susannah Grant
Distributor: Paramount Pictures, DreamWorks SKG
Production Co: Working Title Films, DreamWorks Pictures, Krasnoff/Foster Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Some Drug Use|Language|Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 24, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.7M

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