The Soloist (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
Robert Downey Jr. & Jamie Foxx try to convey something meaningful in 'The Soloist', based on a true story, & directed by Joe Wright (Pride & Prejudice, Atonement). Journalist Steve Lopez (Downey) hasn't had a good story in a long time; and the newspaper he works with is laying off people left & right. Desperate to write something interesting, he stumbles upon a homeless violinist by the name of Nathaniel Ayers (Foxx). What initially makes him interesting? He plays with only 2 strings. After Steve learns that Nathaniel was once enrolled in Julliard, he knows he has a hot story on his hands. Why & how would this former Julliard phenom be living in Skid Row? Because Nathaniel has been afflicted with schizophrenia. Sometimes he's fine, mostly he's not (even becoming violent).
The 2 spend time together; and Steve becomes obsessed with the idea of bettering Nat's unfortunate life. He obtains a new violin for him, gets him off the streets, provides him with a music teacher (Tom Hollander), & even organizes a small recital for him to perform at. Just as Nathaniel has been helped by Steve, Steve (a divorcee and loner, himself) has also been positively influenced by witnessing/experiencing Nathaniel's musical prowess. But as their friendship grows, so too does Nathaniel's mental instability. Can Steve make Nathaniel's dreams come true? Or has he done him more harm than good? Can the act of caring be enough to help a person (like Nathaniel) who has a mental illness? The questions are never-ending. And that's mostly because they are (too) many of them.
By the end of the film, I had no idea what exactly the film wanted to say. Obviously, the main thread concerns Nathaniel, the fact that he has schizophrenia; that he plays the violin beautifully, that he happens to be homeless, & that Steve Lopez wants to help him out. But on a deeper level, I just didn't get the appeal. Is 'The Soloist' a story of perseverance? Yeah. Is it about musical triumph? Merely. Is it about depair? Sort of. Is it about social acceptance? A little bit. Is it about Steve's failed marriage to his editor (a stellar Catherine Keener)? Somewhat. Is it about isolation/loneliness (Nathaniel is literally & figuratively a soloist, and so is Steve)? Mhmm. Is it about schizophrenia? Partly. Is it about homelessness? A bit. So you see, 'The Soloist' covers A LOT ...
But it never hits the sweet spot (so to speak) on any one particular aspect. It is more shapeless than cohesive. That said, you can't fault the acting. Robert Downey Jr. is superb. His performance is raw & quietly riveting; knowing exactly how to handle the emotional & intellectual flow of each scene he is in. And Jamie Foxx is very good. He doesn't overdo it; which is a trap many actors fall into when playing someone with a mental disability. Whenever the 2 of them are onscreen together, the movie shines. The same just can't be said of the screenplay. The plot meanders, the dialogue meanders, and there's a lack of intensity throughout the proceedings -- too many dullish interludes. I appreciate what Joe Wright tried to do cinematically, visually, & sentimentally ... but his movie simply lacks passion & some focus. There is little emotional resonance to be had; and I'm sure it was not the intent for this motion picture to be as ill-affecting as it is.
The 2 spend time together; and Steve becomes obsessed with the idea of bettering Nat's unfortunate life. He obtains a new violin for him, gets him off the streets, provides him with a music teacher (Tom Hollander), & even organizes a small recital for him to perform at. Just as Nathaniel has been helped by Steve, Steve (a divorcee and loner, himself) has also been positively influenced by witnessing/experiencing Nathaniel's musical prowess. But as their friendship grows, so too does Nathaniel's mental instability. Can Steve make Nathaniel's dreams come true? Or has he done him more harm than good? Can the act of caring be enough to help a person (like Nathaniel) who has a mental illness? The questions are never-ending. And that's mostly because they are (too) many of them.
By the end of the film, I had no idea what exactly the film wanted to say. Obviously, the main thread concerns Nathaniel, the fact that he has schizophrenia; that he plays the violin beautifully, that he happens to be homeless, & that Steve Lopez wants to help him out. But on a deeper level, I just didn't get the appeal. Is 'The Soloist' a story of perseverance? Yeah. Is it about musical triumph? Merely. Is it about depair? Sort of. Is it about social acceptance? A little bit. Is it about Steve's failed marriage to his editor (a stellar Catherine Keener)? Somewhat. Is it about isolation/loneliness (Nathaniel is literally & figuratively a soloist, and so is Steve)? Mhmm. Is it about schizophrenia? Partly. Is it about homelessness? A bit. So you see, 'The Soloist' covers A LOT ...
But it never hits the sweet spot (so to speak) on any one particular aspect. It is more shapeless than cohesive. That said, you can't fault the acting. Robert Downey Jr. is superb. His performance is raw & quietly riveting; knowing exactly how to handle the emotional & intellectual flow of each scene he is in. And Jamie Foxx is very good. He doesn't overdo it; which is a trap many actors fall into when playing someone with a mental disability. Whenever the 2 of them are onscreen together, the movie shines. The same just can't be said of the screenplay. The plot meanders, the dialogue meanders, and there's a lack of intensity throughout the proceedings -- too many dullish interludes. I appreciate what Joe Wright tried to do cinematically, visually, & sentimentally ... but his movie simply lacks passion & some focus. There is little emotional resonance to be had; and I'm sure it was not the intent for this motion picture to be as ill-affecting as it is.