Goodbye Solo
Roadside Attractions | Release Date: March 27, 2009
7.5
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 48 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
35
Mixed:
11
Negative:
2
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
10
FilmJMay 4, 2009
Few films rise above the white noise of the indie film world to actually standout as something remarkable and worth watching. I would make this compulsory viewing for all students in film making 101. No budget. No Stars. Make something wonderful.
1 of 2 users found this helpful
10
NickJSep 10, 2009
One of the greatest films of this or any decade. I have seen Bahrani's two other films, and think that they are wonderful as well. However, even they are not comparable to Goodbye Solo, which brilliantly explores the theme of One of the greatest films of this or any decade. I have seen Bahrani's two other films, and think that they are wonderful as well. However, even they are not comparable to Goodbye Solo, which brilliantly explores the theme of overwhelming, unfixable loneliness and the passing of generations in modern day America. A.O. Scott said that this was an "almost perfect film". If any movie has ever come in close contact with perfection, it is this… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
anonymousJul 19, 2009
Honestly one of the most boring movies I have had the misfortune of sitting through in quite some time. There were so many still shots of nothing but air that the temptation to fall asleep was overruled only by the ultimately fruitless hope Honestly one of the most boring movies I have had the misfortune of sitting through in quite some time. There were so many still shots of nothing but air that the temptation to fall asleep was overruled only by the ultimately fruitless hope that something - anything - would happen. The characters were nice enough and well-acted, but it's difficult to maintain an interest in people whose lives are so understated.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
SeanKSep 3, 2009
The best movie of the year. One of the most intelligent, unpretentious, meditative, human, and heartbreaking films to come onto theaters in years.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
carlitodSep 3, 2009
Maybe i expected too much, but this seemed only mildly inspiring and quasi entertaining. it felt like it was trying... I don't know just not enough substance.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
swizwOct 31, 2009
A dark, brooding film. The cinematography is done with an incredible attention to detail as much more is shown than said. Superb movie, and West and Savane have an excellent chemistry (or lack thereof).
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
301Oct 7, 2009
The palpable melancholy may perturb the average cinema-goer seeking pure thrill. The others will find an ephemeral snapshot of the changing face of America.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JoshBApr 1, 2009
It's a "small film" without without big ambitions, but is really a great little piece of character-based storytelling. It's got slow but steady pacing, but I found it very engrossing from the start. Great performances from the two leads.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
RHDApr 13, 2009
The characters in the third Bahrani film are more nuanced that his previous, very good, efforts. Red West plays a man trying to distance himself from the world and Savane is wonderful, perhaps naive and eventually wise as he attempts to The characters in the third Bahrani film are more nuanced that his previous, very good, efforts. Red West plays a man trying to distance himself from the world and Savane is wonderful, perhaps naive and eventually wise as he attempts to break through West's character's tough exterior. Bahrani doesn't tie up all the loose ends -- that way you still think about the characters days after you've seen the movie. We're still talking about the movie three days later. If you want cotton candy, go see Confessions of a Shopaholic. If you want one of the best character studies in film since Magnolia, go see this movie!… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
8
JimFMay 7, 2009
"Goodbye Solo" is reminiscent of the cinema verite of films like "The Bicycle Thief" and "The White Balloon", but the template that Bahrani and his screenwriter use, from Kiorastami's "A Taste of Cherry" , seems in conflict with the "Goodbye Solo" is reminiscent of the cinema verite of films like "The Bicycle Thief" and "The White Balloon", but the template that Bahrani and his screenwriter use, from Kiorastami's "A Taste of Cherry" , seems in conflict with the natural direction the performers want to take the material, and the use of a plot element in the form of a found notebook near the end intended to explain what the film wisely leaves unsaid, is both contrived and implausible. That said, the performances, particularly the two leads and an engaging young Hispanic girl, are among the most captivating in recent memory, giving the film a charm and humanity that make it well worth seeing.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
annmJul 31, 2009
Very human - this is the way I hope people are.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
JayHAug 20, 2009
Beautifully and lovingly made, excellent cinematography and wonderful and genuine performances, but painfully slow and at times downright boring. I was hoping for another "The Visitor", which is slowly paced but never boring, or like "Frozen River".
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
EvanS.Sep 15, 2009
We've become so desynthezied by Hollywood schlock that we have no idea that a film can be as soulfood and good as this one.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
7
desmondp.Sep 16, 2009
Did not really work for me. The sitiation is so highly improbable and the lead character mumbles his way throuhout the film so as to be nearly unintelligible.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
RobTNov 23, 2009
This movie was slow and had no action. Good actors, good character development but as exciting as watching grass grow. Overrated.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
ChrisApr 13, 2009
I
0 of 0 users found this helpful
5
JustinEAug 29, 2009
I think it's hard to rate this movie... if you are looking for something to reach into your emotions, you could probably say it's good. If you just want to watch a good or entertaining movie, this one fails miserably. A lot of the I think it's hard to rate this movie... if you are looking for something to reach into your emotions, you could probably say it's good. If you just want to watch a good or entertaining movie, this one fails miserably. A lot of the movie was very good, or had good production values at least, but overall it was pretty boring. And the ending wasn't too definitive either, but it can be assumed what happened.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful
4
FirstianASep 13, 2009
I think this film is overrated by the film critics. The story is far from good, no climax, and the ending... so flat, no meaning, I hope any explanation or surprise or even twist in the end but I don't get it. Another so what movie.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
10
BillRDec 27, 2009
In a word I thought this movie was exquisite. I loved the acting of the two lead actors.
0 of 0 users found this helpful
9
TimeAug 15, 2010
Unequivocally, undeniably human. When the end credits started rolling, I was initially annoyed that all my questions weren't neatly answered, but the rich character development is what stayed with me.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
DawdlingPoetJun 2, 2022
I thought this was a slightly bland film but it became quite poignant by the end. There are unanswered questions by the end but there's some substance to it too. Not a bad watch. I think it was the subtlety of the ending that managed to moveI thought this was a slightly bland film but it became quite poignant by the end. There are unanswered questions by the end but there's some substance to it too. Not a bad watch. I think it was the subtlety of the ending that managed to move me. The taxi driver character, Solo, is very talkative, if anything in an over the top way, which may bother some but its this contrast with him talking quite urban talk, quite informally, while the other character, William, is clearly in a bit of personal bother, being quite serious and in a low state of mind, not wanting to reveal too much about his life. Yes, I'd recommend this film.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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