Robert D. Ruplenas
I really wondered what the point of this movie was, and about two-thirds of the way through the light dawned. This is a "message" movie, and the message is a poisonous one.Sometime in the 60's we as a nation became revolted at conditions in our mental institutions, which were indeed horrific and grotesque. This is where society had warehoused everyone whose mental conditions were so extreme that even their own families could not cope with them. Government being what it is, it was never to be expected that these poor souls would get compassionate treatment.So it was decided to grant these individuals their "rights" and release them all to the street. There was supposed to be a wave of neighborhood mental health clinics to look after them; that never transpired. As a result these poor souls now live in the street and often pose a safety risk to others. Jails and prisons are now the front line in dealing with the mentally ill.Unfortunately a whole movement has arisen advocating for the "rights" of these people to live as they are, i.e. as mentally unbalanced people. The sad thing is that, with proper medication, many of these folks could be restored to some semblance of normality.In clearly siding with the "right" of Nathaniel not to be medicated, this movie, in my view, sends a very toxic message whose upshot is that these people should be allowed to live their lives of misery and to continue to pose a threat to - dare I utter the word? - "normal" people. The issue of how we deal with our mentally ill is a complex and thorny one, but I don't think it's useful to maintain that it's just dandy not to treat them.
Nicolas F. Costoglou
Joe Wright is one of the few directors who manage to surprise me every time i watch a new movie. I hadn't much interest in seeing this movie, until i heard he was involved, so i watched it and i think: The Soloist is a well told and fairly interesting drama, with a rarely used setting. I expected the photography to be good, and it was, but at first i wasn't sure about the coloring, everything looks mostly flat and down-to-earth, which is what they were going for i suppose, and it works okay with the movie.The actors are really great, Robert Downey Jr. is very good, but especially Jamie Foxx and Catherine Keener impressed me with their natural performances.The soundtrack is very much classic music the whole time, which fits the mood as well as the theme of the story.It's a nicely told little drama and your time won't be wasted...
KissEnglishPasto
.......................................................from Pasto,Colombia...Via: L.A. CA., CALI, COLOMBIA and ORLANDO, FLTrue Stories are my favorite genre. The SOLOIST was a real eye-opener and gave me a real "Ah-Ha" moment! Typically, despite being true stories, (or a good facsimile) the genre is rather formulaic, when you come right down to it. Person A has problem X, (Some seemingly insurmountable disease or injury or condition or adversity or a confluence of 2 or more of the above!) and through inspirational effort and persistence, defying all odds, Person A manages to overcome problem X and we ALL feel uplifted in the end! The SOLOIST is anything but typical. It tells an extremely interesting and unusual story which refuses to conform to the formulaic conventions to which we have, unfortunately, become so complacently accustomed. There are three factors which contribute to creating false expectations for SOLOIST.First, the title itself is somewhat misleading. Watch the movie, and you'll see for yourself! Second, the trailer is edited so as to create expectations geared to coincide more with the genre's formulaic audience comfort zone. The very thing the movie so painstakingly avoids! And third, the very same set of entrenched genre clichés we have already mentioned, in other words, the baggage viewers bring with them into the theater! ****Possible Very MINOR SPOILER Ahead!****Putting all of this aside, SOLOIST derives its tremendous energy and appeal from the undeniable on-screen chemistry of Robert Downey, Jr. and Jamie Foxx. Their interaction is a joy to watch. The story does provide the standard genre buzz-words
Uplifting, Inspirational and Motivational
but for reasons that would be virtually impossible to predict before experiencing the film itself! Oh, and the music is sublime! Classical music Lovers are in for a veritable treat! There are elements of SOLOIST that will make some viewers squirm. Third world neighborhoods, right here, in downtown Los Angeles, for example. Scenes from SOLOIST have been ricocheting around my brain since yesterday!9.5*STARS*....ENJOY/DISFRUTELA! Any comments, questions or observations, in English or Español, are most welcome!
Tarek Saazeb
Now this! This is how you make a documentary. Amazing film, from start to finish. Robert Downy Jr. has played quite a few remarkable roles in his career and so as Jamie Foxx. But there are a few moments in this movie that made them outstanding whatsoever as actors. I for one, never really was into Jamie but after watching this movie, I'm thinking otherwise.My review is as follows:* Casting = Brilliant * Cinematography = Amazeballs * Story = True story hence 10/10 *Acting = Everyone was exceptionally good, especially the center characters. Hats off to RDJ and Jamie.May one's love for good music stays forever. A must watch for everybody.
AD
