" Both Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx are truly exceptional and ridiculously underrated!"

Based on the book of the same name, The Soloist is a beautiful and touching portrayal of a true story about an unlikely friendship. Done with sincerity, this is a magically uplifting film, full of both hope and sadness. Robert Downey Jr. plays award-winning LA Times Journalist Steve Lopez and Jamie Foxx is Nathaniel Ayers, a talented cellist whose undiagnosed schizophrenia drove him away from musical success to the streets. Both actors are truly exceptional and ridiculously underrated!

Inspired by Nathanial's story, Lopez decides to write a series of articles about Ayers, in the attempt to get him off the streets and playing music again. In the process the two men form a friendship based on respect, despite their differences. Lopez's good intentions, however, send him into his own wall of frustration as he discovers the hard realities of the strength of Ayers' personal demons and the injustices facing the homeless on Skid Row. Regardless, Lopez refuses to give up on Ayers and finally realizes that while he may not be able to ‘fix' Ayers, he can be there for him - and that is sometimes all it takes.

Joe Wright is known for his elaborate filming in Atonement and he does it again in The Soloist. His sensitivity to the issue at hand, mental illness, goes above and beyond, and his willingness to relate to the issue is more than commendable. It is done so well that, perhaps, only if you have experienced it for yourself will you be able to fully understand and appreciate it, but that is far from being a bad thing - it is a testament to how good Wright and this film are. So many films touch upon the topic of mental illness, but do it in such a dark and depressing way, often not capturing the entirety. Of course there is a darkness, as with any illness, and this film does not hide that, but it also shows you the precious, often misunderstood side, conveying how difficult ordinary things, such as living indoors, can be for Nathanial.

Emotionally, you will be hard pressed not to fall for this film, the people and their journeys. This is simply a captivating and touching film that is brilliantly acted and magically directed.

Synopsis

Emotionally soaring drama about the redemptive power of music, journalist Steve Lopez (Oscar® nominee Robert Downey Jr.) discovers Nathaniel Anthony Ayers (Oscar® winner Jamie Foxx), a former classical music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of L.A. As Lopez endeavours to help the homeless man find his way back, a unique friendship is formed, one that transforms both their lives. Directed by Joe Wright (Golden Globe winner for Best Drama and Oscar® nominee for Best Picture "Atonement"). -

Film Facts

Official site: www.thesoloistmovie.co.uk

UK Release Date: 25th September 2009

Directors: Joe Wright

Writers: Susannah Grant (screenplay), Steve Lopez (book)

Cast: Jamie Foxx (‘Nathaniel Ayers') & Robert Downey Jr. (‘Steve Lopez')

Distributor: Universal

Certificate: PG

Run-time: 117 mins

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