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Although Jamie Foxx's performance in 'The Soloist' is worth the ticket price, the film fails to leave audiences with a satisfying ending.
Directed by Joe Wright ('Atonement') and also starring Lisa Gay Hamilton, 'Soloist' is simply another version of the clichéd films we've seen before.
Based on a true story, Robert Downey Jr. plays Steve Lopez, a Los Angeles Times columnist who gets into a horrific bike accident that almost leaves his face scarred. While walking through the park, he comes across a homeless man playing beautiful music on a violin. After a few more run-ins, Lopez discovers that the violinist, Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, was once a gifted musician who dropped out of Juilliard.
Ayers began losing his mind as a young adult and subsequently left home to live in the streets. With his editor's backing, Lopez starts helps him by writing stories about his remarkable talent in the paper. Readers donate gifts and help in his recovery.
The problem with the film is that Ayers is not always on the same page as everyone else. At times, he's alert to what's happening in his life and others, he stills hears demons in his head and loses focus on reality. When Lopez tries to get medical help for him, Ayers gets confused.
If you are a movie buff, you've probably seen similar films like this in 'Awakenings' with Robert De Niro and 'Shine' with Geoffrey Rush. Downey is very effective in his role. In fact, his character is only one who has any range. Foxx has got the looks and mannerisms of a mentally challenged homeless man, but director Joe Wright doesn't give him any breathing room to change. It's a one-note role all the way, which leaves little for surprises.
Comments: (8)
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By: Shanda on 4/24/2009 7:48PM
I don't even have to look at this movie to tell it's racist and maybe even gay.
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By: hatedout on 4/25/2009 9:55PM
The state of homelessness in California is not a racial issue, it is an economic issue and more importantly, a mental health and drug abuse issue. Unfortunately, the movie does portray more African-Americans as victims of all three of these conditions, than any other race, and that is probably pretty accurate. The movie missed one important aspect. I haven't read the book, but the movie missed building the story line on how the character, Nathanial Ayers, mental health issue came about. You are left guessing if there was a traumatic event from his childhood that may have been the cause of his mental condition. I could never connect the way he was portrayed in the movie to a cause or event. It seems he just went crazy. It was difficult to have a lot of sympathy for this character because he was in his own world and it seemed it was by choice. You wind up connecting more to the people around him who are trying to help him and you connect to the character through the people who cared about him.
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By: Camelita on 6/02/2009 1:13AM
He is a racist for sure and I wouldn't waste a dime on his sorry music or acting. Man he ain't got no skilz.
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By: dre on 4/26/2009 11:19AM
I was never really a fan of Jamie Foxx's until he became a serious actor. The guy us brilliant and although his satellite radio show misrepresents the true intellect of us African American men, on-screen performances are fantastic. Should he continue to accept parts in movies that tap into his acting genious, he will join the ranks of the of the well respected among us (Morgan Freeman, Sidney Poitier, Levar Burton, etc.). Kudos to Mr. Foxx for a very entertaining performance as a musician with a psychiatric disorder.
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By: Browm Sugah Baby on 4/27/2009 5:03PM
Jamie Foxx is an extraordinary artist. As a comedic entertainer I've enjoyed his standup shows as well as his antics in character on In Living Color and also his role as the main character on 'The Jamie Foxx Show' - he even dabbled with his vocal abilities on that show and I can distinctly remember listening to him sing a song in honor of Aunt Helen and Uncle Junior for an anniversary or something, and I was in awe of what a beautiful voice he has and wished the song he sung was a recording I could purchase from a music store.
Then, to witness his acting skills at their best, like in "Ray" for example, I knew this man was doing what he was called to do.
Clearly, if this movie is not the success they foresaw it to be, it is not because of a lack of talent...I would still support these actors regardless of the opinion of a critic.
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By: Jerica on 6/02/2009 1:10AM
I will not watch anything Jamie Foxx does and I will not listen to his music. He is not a serious actor not is he a musician. His comedy acts are pathetic and if someone ever attempted to say the racial things about him or his family like he has said about many people. He would have Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson on speed dial.
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By: Follower of the newspaper series on 5/04/2009 12:19PM
First of all, the film can't have a really strong satisfying ending because it's a true story that didn't have a completely satisfying ending. Yes, Nathaniel had gotten help, but there is no cure for schizophrenia, and he will always suffer.
As to the person who didn't feel there was a cause of his mental illness, that's because schizoprenia doesn't have a "cause." It's something that goes wrong in the brain. It is not a choice.
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By: LAURA on 5/06/2009 10:25AM
Word is the movie is tanking!! Maybe he keep the biatch words about a 15 year old to himself. His daughter is a teen too!! He is a typical court jester, cant keep their little know it all opinions to themselves!!
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