The Soloist; Review 1

7.6/10

  In many ways the Soloist is humbling look into the unlikely union, or possibly even friendship of a successful newspaper columnist and a schizophrenic homeless musician. Steve Lopez (played by Robert Downey Jr.) sees an opportunity for an interesting column wandering the streets of Los Angeles in Nathaniel Ayers (played by Jamie Foxx), a former Julliard student who now calls the streets of LA home.

 

            The film successfully draws its viewers into the internal struggle of both these men. Jamie Foxx does not disappoint, as he portrays his character with both accuracy and passion. He delivers a convincing and realistic performance that from the beginning both capture the audience’s emotions and truly makes the audience care for this man, much in the same way that Steve Lopez ends up caring for Nathaniel. Initially Steve Lopez only seems interested in Nathaniel as a subject for an interesting story, however in a somewhat predictable turn Lopez begins to feel a need to help this man. Possibly the most intriguing aspect of Lopez’s journey with Nathaniel is the gradual shedding of a man’s pride, which seems to allow him to truly open himself to the notion of being friends with a man such as Nathaniel. 

 

            Although on a few occasions the movie does seem to be heading towards that ever-satisfying climax, it never truly reaches that peak. The movie simply seems to stop short of finishing it’s thoughts and leaves the audience desiring some kind of closure. In many ways the movie is faced with th problem that true closure may not be possible in this situation. That maybe there is no happy ending possible. It is unrealistic to expect Nathaniel to be magically cured because of the help offered by Mr. Lopez. In many ways that is the very essence of what this movie is trying to say. Throughout the movie Steve Lopez yearns for a way to cure Nathaniel, when in reality maybe Nathaniel did not want nor need to be cured of anything. In fact at many points the movie begs the question: Who is really helping whom?

 

Even with the performances by both Foxx and Downey, the most impressive aspect of the film is director Joe Wright’s ability to capture the intricacies of the mentally ill with such sensitivity. Wright also establishes and accentuates the calming and soothing power of music for Nathaniel, which only brings further intrigue into Nathaniel’s character.

 

This movie gives a unique and unexpected view into the lives of two men living in a time of uncertainty. Nathaniel simply wants to play and enjoy the music he loves in the place in which he feel most comfortable, on the streets of LA. While Lopez is a well-known, yet still ambitious, writer at a time when newspapers are in jeopardy of shutting down. Although the movie did not reach its full potential, it still leaves its viewers feeling content at its conclusion.