THE SOLOIST

THE SOLOIST: A PERFECT DUET


Being a psychology major in college, I've gained a discerning eye with regard to films about the mentally ill. My complaints usually stem from the usual stereotypical behavior assigned to each condition. This film, however, did an exceptional job of showing the reality of a terrible majority of those who suffer mental illness and homelessness. It's not perfect and to me, ended up being more about homelessness than mental illness. Over time, many people who endure mental illness have also been blessed with genius; painting, writing, playing music. That's where this movie starts. Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.) is a reporter in Los Angeles who, while searching for story ideas, comes across an interesting character, Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx) who can make a two-strung violin sound like angels from heaven.
As a true reporter, he digs deeper into the story which results in his personal concern for Ayers. The two develop an unlikely bond, but Lopez finds, story endings are not always happy. There are close to 80,000 homeless people in Los Angeles. Many of the extras were from that group. For my taste, it played down the negative aspects; drug use, prostitution, although there are just as many, especially in these times, who are homeless families. In the extra features, you can see the real Lopez and Ayers. Comparing the real-life counterparts isn't helpful. It makes Foxx's portrayal seem over the top and too far gone. Perhaps the real Ayers has decided to take his medication because he isn't as out there are Foxx portrays. As far as Lopez goes, I hope he found it a great honor to have Downey portraying him. He's a lot better looking and mixes humor and drama in a neat little package. He too is human and doesn't have all the right solutions, but he's trying. What are you doing? This was a very good film and it's a shame that more people didn't see it in the theaters. Well worth the rental.
BITE: Hard to accept the reality, but good film with excellent acting.