The Soloist

source: The Soloist

I can't give this a low, low score because it is a technically proficient movie - good camera, good lighting, and realistic environments and dialog. Unfortunately, the script was utterly boring. It's clear the writer and director were trying to make a connection with the audience, and cause them to well up with tears for our poor, afflicted main character (Jaime Foxx). But, when the cresendo came and the climax passed, I was just playing mental gymnastics wondering "When will I start caring?" It's yet another example of a great movie affected by an un-remarkable and un-moving script. Too bad, I really wanted to like this one... Take care, ... Christopher

It's marketed as a two-handed performance-heavy piece, & it delivers fully on that front. Foxx & Downey are both in top form, ably delivering the heartfelt & relatively unique dialogue. The problem is that, in its worst moments, it's a mess of racial & cultural insensitivities, mainly presenting black people as crazy, criminal, or both, with the not-so-hidden stench of a white-savior narrative. Still, Wright's passionate & careful direction mixed with Foxx & Downey makes for something worth sifting through.

Lots of times i see a film after i see the rating on Rotten Tomatoes or maybe reading a review without spoilers. I did it with this film and saw it already thinking it's bad, and that's the last time i do that, i really enjoyed this film, not a 10 but maybe re-watchable. Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr. give solid acting, even when particularly i don't like Mr. Foxx to much, except for Ray of course, i think he should keep playing real life musicians, and Mr. Downey, Jr. had just started with the MCU, so ironically he's playing a guy who helps another guy (Mr. Foxx) to get back on his feet when himself is starting to do so in real life in 2008-09, and does it really great (in the movie and in real life). Also with a good script and good secondary acting by Mrs. Keener. I give it a 7, it's not that high but it's really good compared to the other critics. Please see it, you won't waste your time.

Now this! This is how you make a documentary. Amazing film, from start to finish. Robert Downy Jr. has played quite a few remarkable roles in his career and so as Jamie Foxx. But there are a few moments in this movie that made them outstanding whatsoever as actors. I for one, never really was into Jamie but after watching this movie, I'm thinking otherwise. My review is as follows: * Casting = Brilliant * Cinematography = Amazeballs * Story = True story hence 10/10 *Acting = Everyone was exceptionally good, especially the center characters. Hats off to RDJ and Jamie. May one's love for good music stays forever. A must watch for everybody.

There was a statistic they showed at the end of the film that shocked me. It pointed out that there are 90,000 homeless in Los Angeles on any given day. This film is a searing indictment of the shameful way we treat both the mentally ill and the homeless. Jamie Foxx is riveting in his portrayal of a schizophrenic with a talent for music. His character reminded me of the one in that movie A Beautiful Mind. We see the hellish torment this poor man lives with every day. Its almost like he's trapped in a prison with no way out. Robert Downey Jr. was so funny in last year's Tropic Thunder, he proves here that he is good at doing drama as well. He is wonderful as a weary, sardonic reporter who in a way finds personal redemption when he decides to do a story on this poor homeless man with a genius for music. Foxx and Downey both have great chemistry and I wouldn't be surprised if they both get Oscar nods.

The only good thing going for this movie was the actors it contained. The friendship between the two was not believable, the exaggerated Hollywood effects were unneeded, and the directing completely sidetracked from the concept itself. Moreover, the previews were ABSOLUTELY different than what was shown. I was EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED. On a decent note, Jamie Fox's acting is as usual, amazing. He was absolutely right for the role, and portrayed it to the best abilities I think anyone could have done. Robert Downey Junior was OK. NPR was absolutely correct with their review this morning, and I did not want to believe it. Shame on me for spending my money.

Scrolling through Netflix and came across this movie and I like dramas based real life events and this film is beautiful and also shows the horrors of one of the monsters of mental illness schizophrenia both actors aced their roles so surprised this didn't get an Oscar nomination at the time so worth a watch

I LOVED this. I remembered seeing a documentary about the homeless and the Lamp community in LA, and the cello player having been featured in real life. In the docu there weren't nearly as many homeless mashing around in so threatening a manner, and I envied the life of the cellist. I wondered how soon after the docu was made (or before?) did the journalist come along? Great performance by Downey, depicting compassion for those perceived as less fortunate while misunderstanding their real need. The case worker (Nielsan Ellis in this movie) seemed to get it right.

Why was Jamie Foxx not nominated for an Oscar in this? He was brilliant and the story couldn't be more relevant and important. Unfortunately, it barely made back half of its production budget, so I guess that killed any chance of awards. Sad. Good films go unappreciated. Idiot superhero movies make all the money.