The Soloist

Name: The Soloist
Genre: Biography, Drama, Music
Released: April 24, 2009
Duration: 117 min
Rating: 61
Cast: Catherine Keener, Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr.

2009

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 87 Ratings

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6.9

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6.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 87 Ratings

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The Soloist

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Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: April 24, 2009 | PG-13

Starring: Catherine Keener, Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr.

Summary: In The Soloist, an emotionally soaring drama about the redemptive power of music, journalist Steve Lopez discovers Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A. As Lopez endeavors to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both theirIn The Soloist, an emotionally soaring drama about the redemptive power of music, journalist Steve Lopez discovers Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A. As Lopez endeavors to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both their lives. (Paramount)… Expand

Director: Joe Wright

Genre(s): Biography, Drama, Music

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 117 min

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Critic Reviews

Stephanie Zacharek

A triumphant movie about failure. Read full review

Premiere Rob Calvert

The Soloist is based upon a true story, so it lacks some of the clichés that you might find in other made-up tales. Read full review

Owen Gleiberman

It's all a bit shapeless, yet made with sincerity and taste, and the two actors seize your sympathy. Read full review

Shawn Levy

You can't help but feel a connection to Downey and Foxx and, to a lesser degree, a rooting interest in the story. But try as Wright might, he never figures out a way to bring us in -- much less manipulate us -- cinematically. Read full review

James Berardinelli

The problem with The Soloist is that, while Wright shows admirable restraint in dramatizing the interaction between the two principals and does not fall into the trap of following a "movie of the week" formula about mental illness, there is little emotional resonance in the story. Read full review

Ella Taylor

Foxx and Downey's disciplined duet come close to redeeming The Soloist from its visual excesses, but Wright leaves us with a parting shot of the dancing homeless that shamelessly exploits the very people he means to champion. Read full review

Kenneth Turan

By consistently and relentlessly overplaying everything, by settling for standard easy emotions when singular and heartfelt was called for, by pushing forward when they should have pulled back, director Joe Wright and screenwriter Susannah Grant have made the story mean less, not more. Instead of enhancing The Soloist's appeal, they have come close to eliminating it. Read full review

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User Reviews

JulieS

Apr 25, 2009

This is such a beautiful film, Downey performance is always incredibly nuanced and I just enjoy the creativity that he brings to each role. Foxx was good too, i thought he was gonna over act his role but he did it amazing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

ChrisE

Apr 29, 2009

Excellent film, very inspirational to everyone.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SusanS.

Jan 17, 2010

This is one of the best films I saw in 2009. I'm sorry it got so little reception and that most of the critics did not seem to know how to handle it. Anyone who has worked, lived with or been close to someone with schizophrenia will probably be deeply moved by this movie. This is not a This is one of the best films I saw in 2009. I'm sorry it got so little reception and that most of the critics did not seem to know how to handle it. Anyone who has worked, lived with or been close to someone with schizophrenia will probably be deeply moved by this movie. This is not a film of easy answers. But it's subject matter is not easy. It's not A Beautiful Mind or Shine, where the characters are suddenly transformed by the power of music or math or whatever. It deals with the reality of schizophrenia and homelessness, which are both terrifying, dizzying, and messy issues that cannot be solved with one helping hand and musical instrument. The acting, writing, and directing are amazing, as is the cinematography (the first sequence on skid row and an "internal" light show are particularly notable). I went into this film unsure about it, as the previews depicted it as one of those feel good inspirational stories, but was totally blown away. To think that films like Up in the Air and Avatar are stealing all the acclaim for 2009 and this film is getting left in the dust is heartbreaking. It's truly a masterpiece.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful

alejandro970

Feb 11, 2018

Downey Jr. in one of his best roles without the IM armor. Real life story about how friendship save a lost soul. Jamie Foxx is touching as a musician who has to fight against his inner demons.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

KelvinSelimor

Nov 6, 2021

The Soloist. I am the second Beethoven. A beautiful drama in a musical style in which amazing music sounds. Unfortunately, the film spoils a too casual plot. Throughout the entire movie, almost nothing happens, and it gets boring very quickly. Jamie Foxx deserves special praise, he playedThe Soloist. I am the second Beethoven. A beautiful drama in a musical style in which amazing music sounds. Unfortunately, the film spoils a too casual plot. Throughout the entire movie, almost nothing happens, and it gets boring very quickly. Jamie Foxx deserves special praise, he played his role perfectly.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

txrangersfan72

Sep 19, 2010

In what had the conceptual, talent and makings of a fantastic movie, this film loses its way about halfway through and teeters back and forth until the viewer moves from wanting the story to go the way it is leading, to the viewer just wanting it to end. Fortunately, the movie does pick upIn what had the conceptual, talent and makings of a fantastic movie, this film loses its way about halfway through and teeters back and forth until the viewer moves from wanting the story to go the way it is leading, to the viewer just wanting it to end. Fortunately, the movie does pick up toward the last half hour. The actual ending is very sweet and probably more realistic than the Hollywood ending it could have had. At the very least, this movie is a snapshot of the plight of homeless people and the fact that each one is unique, with their own story and are worthy of respect as human beings.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MingV.

Jul 25, 2009

Turgid, chaotic, tedious .. I do not even find Foxx's acting anything decent as well, just like a kid playing a mental illness person. It is supposed to be a film about a music genius however the use of music is nowhere near ingenious.

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