The Soloist (DVD)

"The Soloist" is a movie that is loosely based on a true story. The film is rated a certificate 12, and is approximately two hours long. ** THE PLOT ** Robert Downey Jnr plays the part of Steve Lopez, who is a journalist for the LA Times. He happens upon a homeless man by accident one day, whose bizarre appearance and strange behaviour cause Steve to become curious when speaking to the man. The homeless man is called Nathaniel Ayers, and is played by Jamie Foxx. When Nathaniel produces a violin with only two strings and can play a piece of classical music for Steve, this causes the journalist to be interested in the man ...  Read the complete review

Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Junior) is a journalist for the LA Times whose marriage is falling apart. He is looking for inspiration for a story when he comes across homeless Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx) playing a violin under a statue of Beethoven. In spite of it only having two strings Nathaniel manages to play beautifully and Steve is intrigued enough to start talking to him. He discovers that Nathaniel has been trained at Julliard and begins to wonder how he came to be living on the streets. He begins to investigate, sensing there is a story in this, and finds out that Nathaniel is a former child prodigy who could have played cello in concert halls. ...  Read the complete review

Intro ------- I am a huge Jamie Foxx fan and am always looking forward to his next big role with a quiet confidence it will be more than just an average watch. So it was with no hesitation that I picked out this film as a 'must watch' during my latest 7-hour flight journey abroad. I wasn't let down: "The Soloist" somehow managed to draw me in from the very start; and keep me hooked. Although admittedly, a little less in the second half than in the first half of the film. The film ----------- Based on a true story, and the novel by Steve Lopez, "The Soloist" is a film which delves into the very core of mental illness in a ...  Read the complete review

When Los Angeles journalist, Steve Lopez, discovers Nathaniel Ayres, he is filled with inspiration. Nathaniel is a mentally ill homeless man but behind the rough exterior is an ex-Juilliard student with an extraordinary musical talent. Steve's first story on Nathaniel seems to capture the hearts of his readers, who send Nathaniel a new instrument to play on rather than his violin with only two strings. Steve sets out to make a better life for his new trusting friend but his good intentions aren't always met warmly when Nathaniel has to deal with the harsh realities of his past and living on the streets. ~ Cast ~ Nathaniel Ayers - Jamie Foxx Steve ...  Read the complete review

In this day and age of blockbuster, all-action mega-budget epics it's nice to see a film that explores the more intricate side of human nature. The Soloist is the story of two men; Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jnr), a Los Angeles reporter and Nathaniel Ayres (Jamie Foxx), a schizophrenic homeless, Beethoven obsessed musician... Whilst struggling to come up with a story Lopez encounters Nathaniel playing a 2-string violin and is intrigued by him. After a brief but stilted conversation he is driven to find out more about this man and starts delving into his past to find what brought him to this point in life. He starts writing a series of articles about ...  Read the complete review