The Soloist

Released: 2009
MPAA rating: PG-13
Run time: 1:57

As indicated in the poster above, this one is all about the acting.  The movie, even though it is a true story, is fairly cookie cutter although it does go off in some directions I did not expect.  Robert Downey, Jr. plays Steve Lopez, a columnist for the LA Times suffering from writer's block.  It's not so much that he has a problem with writing itself, it's more like none of the topics he has to write about are particularly interesting to him.  It is around this time that he comes across Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), a homeless man playing the violin who mentions he was Julliard-trained.  This provides Lopez his inspiration.  How is it that an immensely talented violinist is living on the streets?  He learns that he is not a violinist at all, but is actually a trained cellist. Ayers decides he must get to the bottom of this and, at the same time, find a way for Ayers to live to the level of his talent.  The movie takes an in-depth look at homeless people in general and many of the "actors" playing the homeless are actually homeless.  It is an inspirational, sometimes emotional and even educational story, but the real wow factor of the film is Downey Jr. and Foxx, who are at the top of their game.  Sure, Foxx comes from a comedy background and is sort of annoying with his auto-tune singing, but as an actor, he is really extremely good.  Downey Jr. is at least as good, but at this point in his career, that is hardly a surprise.  So, the movie is pretty good, but see it for the acting.  It does not get much better.

Grade: B

Trailer: