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Amazon.co.uk Review
Sometimes people randomly cross paths, and forever will be changed. That's the subtle, yet profound, message of The Soloist, a deeply moving and deeply human film about people and what, and whom, they connect with. Robert Downey Jr., who is effortlessly charismatic, plays Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez, whose job it is to report on the character and characters, of Southern California. But even a (slightly) jaded reporter can be profoundly touched by a story he reports on, and then allows to unfold in real time. The subject of Lopez's column is Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx, also in a stellar turn), a homeless street musician whose lovely music--played on a battered two-string violin--Lopez hears one day on a walk not far from the Times office. Lopez learns Ayers once attended Juilliard before mental illness sent him into a spiral, and the column detailing Ayers' journey touches the community--as well as both men. The film (based on Lopez's book, follows the halting journey of their friendship, and how sometimes people's lives can't be fixed. Director Joe Wright (Atonement) cast real homeless Angelenos in the many street and social services scenes, giving the film an even more heart-wrenching and realistic patina. If the film doesn't always live up to its high aspirations (the trippy effects, which supposedly show what Ayers sees when he hears Beethoven, are straight out of a 1968 light show), it nonetheless has a big heart. And in an era in which newspapers are struggling to survive, it's heartening to see a contemporary story about a newspaper that can still affect change. --A.T. Hurley
DVD Description
The Soloist is an emotionally soaring drama about the redemptive power of music. Journalist Steve Lopez (Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr.) discovers Nathaniel Anthony Ayeers (Oscar winner Jamie Foxx), a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A.
As Lopez endeavours to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both of their lives. The Soloist is directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice). Joe's previous collaboration with Working Title, Atonement, earned nominations for seven Academy Awards and 14 Baftas.
As Lopez endeavours to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both of their lives. The Soloist is directed by Joe Wright (Atonement, Pride and Prejudice). Joe's previous collaboration with Working Title, Atonement, earned nominations for seven Academy Awards and 14 Baftas.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
For me, this is a beautiful and well-crafted film. As a mental health professional, my focus may be a bit different from that of other reviewers on Amazon.co.uk and .com. My contribution however is to suggest that it offers real insight into some of the ethical dilemas and transference issues between client and staff/carers. Of course, we have in the film a self-styled "leader" rather than a professional but issues of autonomy and power also come into force, even for those with years of training and accreditation. Put more simply, it raises the issue of the choices we allow individuals and how different groups or individuals seek to shape society. I could say a lot more but my simple advice is watch the film! It's moving and may be distressing but it would be wrong to expect anything else of a portrayal of psychotic illness. Don't just watch the film but, if you can, look at the rest of the material on the DVD, including the invitation to volunteer in your neighbourhood to challenge stigma and include people with mental health difficulties.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I've just watched this DVD. Overall I found it a very good film with an unflinching look at the situation people with mental health problems of this type are in. No control over their lives, their thoughts or their feelings. Also the linked problems of homelessness.
After an initial irritation in the first few seconds with an over tricky opening shot of a bicycle ride, I found the camerawork great, reflecting both the confusion of the illness and the music among other facets. The music is great.
At first I had some problem following the dialogue as is mentioned in other reviews. However, since I was watching it with other people who had no problem, I didn't switch the subtitles on, like I do with "The Wire". I soon tuned into it.
The thing that spoilt it for me was a couple of gratuitous cheap shots. In particular a scene depicting atheists as socially inept geeks.
In fact otherwise the religion isn't too obtrusive.
After an initial irritation in the first few seconds with an over tricky opening shot of a bicycle ride, I found the camerawork great, reflecting both the confusion of the illness and the music among other facets. The music is great.
At first I had some problem following the dialogue as is mentioned in other reviews. However, since I was watching it with other people who had no problem, I didn't switch the subtitles on, like I do with "The Wire". I soon tuned into it.
The thing that spoilt it for me was a couple of gratuitous cheap shots. In particular a scene depicting atheists as socially inept geeks.
In fact otherwise the religion isn't too obtrusive.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I didn't know what to expect from this film, had no knowledge of the background, hadn't even seen a clip or trailer. Very superficially I watched it simply because it was Robert Downey Junior! I appreciate the 'realness' of this film. Without giving the ending away, it is refreshing to see Hollywood treat mental illness with some sense of reality rather than patronising it or providing a 'miracle cure'. Both Robert Downey and Jamie Foxx are brilliant in this film and provide convincing performances.
The film may be a bit slow to get off the ground, but it draws you in, and provides a message that maybe society needs to listen to where mental illness is concerned. I would highly recommend this film.
The film may be a bit slow to get off the ground, but it draws you in, and provides a message that maybe society needs to listen to where mental illness is concerned. I would highly recommend this film.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Weak and essentially annoying.
I suffer with a mental illness myself and so feel no guilt in saying this. This is weak. Downey Jr. continues to annoy, he's changes 0% from film to film and while Jamie Foxx puts... Read more
Published 26 days ago by Mr. A. J. Quaeck
Brilliant
It's not always easy to portray real life characters realistically but when you watch the footage of the real Steve and Nathaniel being interviewed, they seem pretty happy with the... Read more
Published 1 month ago by L. Grant
Beautiful!
Two of my favourite actors at their best!
This is a deeply moving film that I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Read more
This is a deeply moving film that I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Brentwood
brilliant
When you pur Robert Downey Jr together with Jamie Foxx in a based on a true story film, this is the quite outstanding result. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Donald M. Macdonald
Robert Downey Jr does it again
Robert Downey Jr and the cast assembled make this a real life event truly watchable. It is is sad, poignant and not at all pretty but it shows the other side of Los Angeles which... Read more
Published 7 months ago by A. D. Gherson
A Real Delight
It took me a while to sit down and watch this film but when I got around to watching it what a joy, from the fantastic music to the first class acting. Read more
Published 13 months ago by mel
Hardgoing... BUT
After seeing the trailers I thought this would be a good film. It started off well but quickly became hardgoing and about halfway through I turned it off. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Malcolm Street
Fantastic
I went to see this film in the cinema and loved it sooo much.
Theres a lovely story to the film which makes it even better. Read more
Theres a lovely story to the film which makes it even better. Read more
Published 16 months ago by smoo
poorly produced nonsense
Dreadful self indulgent rubbish, made worse in that the english soundtrack was unintelligible. tried the german version, worse and even with subtitles (first english, then german)... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Dafydd Bullock
Moving
I knew a little bit about this film having read an article on the real life 'story'. i also knew that you really can't go wrong with the new and improved Robert Downey jr and the... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Ms. M. Lacey
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