Whenever a film is based on a true story and/or revolves around the subject matter of mental disabilities, it walks a very dangerous tightrope and risks coming off as pretentious, preachy or heavy handed. Thanks to the superb performances of Robert Downey, Jr and Jamie Foxx, The Soloist suffers none of those things.
Steve Lopez is a columnist for the Los Angeles Times. One day he hears the beautiful sound of a violin and follows it to a crazy looking homeless man playing with only two strings. He quickly learns that this is Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), and through his incoherent ramblings gathers that he attended Julliard. After some research he discovers that Ayers did attend Julliard but dropped out after two years. Seeing a story, Lopez begins to hang out with Ayers trying to figure out how a gifted Julliard student and child prodigy could wind up homeless and rambling incoherently.
As Lopez digs deeper into Ayers past what starts out as a story slowly begins to build into a genuine friendship. True or not, the story borders on cliché. However, Downey and Foxx both deliver such phenomenal performances that you completely believe in these characters and don’t for a second question there validity.
Many actors have attempted to play mental handicap over the years to varying degrees of success. (It’s worth pointing out that in his prior film, Tropic Thunder, Downey’s character has a conversation wherein he discussed the cons of actors going “full retard.”) Ayers’ ailment is schizophrenia which slowly began to build in him while at Julliard. Foxx gives himself over completely to this character and the words of Susannah Grant’s script flow out of him flawlessly. Like he did with Ray, Foxx once again proves how strong an actor he has become and we don’t doubt once what this character is suffering through.
Another interesting aspect to the film is that many of the homeless extras were in fact real homeless people adding an nice level of authenticity to those scene.
However, despite some of the best acting of the year, the film still isn’t perfect and it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why that is. Because the film is based on true life events, perhaps there isn’t enough of an overall arc to the film. Ayers is by no means cured by the end of the film (trust me, this isn’t a spoiler.) Perhaps director Joe Wright couldn’t quite grasp the story and failed to properly translate that to the screen.
Whatever the reason, this film that could have been one of the best of the year, is merely just really good. Hopefully this won’t prevent the Academy from recognize these two great actors come awards time.
This film is presented in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen and 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound. The film looks great and sounds fantastic. In fact, this film has some of the best sound I’ve heard in a film in a while. It’s subtle, so probably won’t win any awards, but it was very impressive. The film has English, French and Spanish subtitles.
Commentary with Joe Wright: This is an okay commentary. Sure, it’s informative, but it’s not that interesting or entertaining.
Deleted Scenes (10 min.) There are five of these. They are typical deleted scenes. Some of them are interesting I guess, but certainly deleted for a reason.
An Unlikely Friendship: Making Of (19 min.) A pretty typical making of. It’s funny to hear how “freaked out” the producers and such were to be around the oh so harmless homeless people. The best, though, is when Downey says how actors in the past have done really horrible jobs playing characters with mental disabilities. He doesn’t name names, he doesn’t have to.
Kindness, Courtesy and Respect: (4 min.) A short interview with the real Nathaniel Ayers and Steve Lopez. It’s very interesting to see the real people after watching their story.
One Size Does Not All: Addressing Homelessness in Los Angeles (9 min.) In the film most of the homeless are played by actual homeless. The filmmakers talk about working with them and people who work with them talk about the homeless problem in Los Angeles and what they are trying to do to help and what others can do to help as well.
Juilliard: The Education Of Nathaniel Ayers: (4 min.) This is a story about how Ayers attended Juilliard at the same time as Yo-Yo Ma. 30 years later Ma played in LA and invited Ayers and asked him backstage where Ma allowed Ayers to play his cello. It’s a pretty cool story.
Beth’s Story: (2 min.) An animated short about one girl and how she came to be homeless. Very sad.
Trailer
The Soloist is a good movie with some of the best performances of the year. I highly recommend renting this film as it is most certainly worth watching at least once. Downey knocks another out of the park and Foxx gives possibly the best performance of his career.
Paramount Pictures and Dreamworks present The Soloist. Directed by: Joe Wright. Starring: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey, Jr and Catherine Keener. Written by: Sussannah Grant. Based on the book by Steve Lopez. Running time: 117. Rating: PG-13 for pervasive language, sexual content and brief drug use. Released on DVD: August 4, 2009. Available at Amazon.com
