The Soloist

[destresserai]

I did think that both leads played their roles really well but the underlining story was disjointed. I don't think they explained well enough why Lopez wanted to write about Ayers and they really left the whole relationship with the ex-wife unexplored.

Whilst I thought it was good to highlight the homeless, it was sad to see that they focused on the stereo-typicals i.e. drug takers etc. From a personal point of view, I was disappointed to see them portray Schizoprenia in such a stereo-typed way. People with schizophrenia are no more violent than the common man or woman and Schizophrenia is not the same as split personality. Split personality is actually an illness called ‘dissociative disorder,’ and it occurs when there are two or more personalities within one person. People with schizophrenia only have one personality and only a small percentage hear voices.

Enough of the soap-box..... Whilst an okay film there was so much more potential to the story.

A 6 out of 10 for me.

[bevvy]

I wonder if any of them were real homeless people. I was reading the cast list and a good proportion of them appeared to be people playing themselves.

The director was at the acreening that I attended tonight. He said that 500 homeless people were employed on the film in various capacities such as cast members, extras and crew members. They were pa*d the going rate and had to join the actors union. Some have now gone on to get work as extras in other productions. Sadly, one of them -the tall African American guy that was with the older woman , was subsequently shot dead. He had played quite a laarge role in acting as a guide for the director to the world of skid row. The scene at the end where they are all dancing is the party that they had when shooting was over.

[clare5092]

i went to see this last night i didnt think i would enjoy this film was being dragged along by the wife, but i ended up really enjoying it and my wife enjoyed it she even had a little cry and like previous post by claire5092 afterwards she said she didnt really know why, but the film had that effect on her.

I am glad it was not just me reddevil34!!

[jennaxmwahx]

I think it dragged on too long but did show that homelessness is still a big problem in some areas (strangely i bumped into one in Greggs this morning!). It also highlighted some of the issues that mental health sufferers need to deal with.

From the trailor i seen at the pics i thought this was going to be a homeless person to famous status so was a little disappointed.

[Sapphires]

Loved this film !

I love films that make me take a look at oneself and realise how lucky I am.
I also learnt a valuable lesson from this film....
I am a person who is always trying to fix things , however when Lopez demanded Nathaniel be forced to take medication this made me realise what I would like to do isnt always the best way.

Being a friend and just listening works wonders !!!!!

HMMM...simplesssssss :)

[Brilliant Trees]

Hmm still not sure about this one. It’s a slow starter and OH contemplated walking out in the first 20 minutes, but we stuck with it.

Couldn’t reconcile what the opening sequence with the bike had to do with the rest of the film and nothing of any substance really happened and some of the back stories remained frustratingly undeveloped. That said the acting of the two leads was great

I won’t be rushing out to b*y the DVD though!!!!

Let say 5/10.

By the way is it just me but Robert Downey Jnr was a dead ringer for Michel Roux Jnr with that beard.

For those who are interested here's a link to Steve Lopez blog

http://www.stevelopezonline.com/

[yogi]

Saw this at Printworks Manchester last night. Quite empty, maybe 30% full.

Had my doubts beforehand due to Oscar baiting subject and trailer.

Bit poor really, some nice insights into Jamie Foxxxxxx's condition especially in the flashbacks and both leads were pleasantly underplayed, but thought a good half an hour of Robert Downey Jr's story could have been cut with little lost and it would have helped move things along and focus the story more.

Would have said 4/10, but I'd say 5/10 for the unHollywoodness especially towards the end.

[WannabeB]

We came away from the cinema thoughtful and moved, but ultimately loving the film.

It's certainly not the usual Hollywood style (not that I'd know!) but more of a fast-paced slow-burner that was (mostly) utterly absorbing. There were a few absolutely silent parts in the film and you could have heard a pin drop in the cinema. The story was told in a disjointed way but in a less busy way than more modern-styled films. The film seemed to lead you through issues like homelessness, mental illness, inner-city poverty but without seeming to make a judgement - you could make up your own mind on the issues & perhaps even change your mind later.

The ariel shots were perhaps more suited to conventional scenic views - but I think that was the point! Other visuals, like the music "seen" in colour, were surprising and unusual in a film. I thought it was like one of those displays you can see in a computer music player, however, once I started to absorb it I got lost in it, so it must have been ok! A great film for classical music lovers I thought (but stand to be corrected as I know very little about music). Also a great film for those concerned about the ills of urban society as it seemed to protray life in a realistic way.

Like another reviewer, I thought some of the speech was a little indistinct with everything going on - nearly missed the reference to the son near the start of the film - this was really the only reference to explain the history between Downey & his ex.

Not having seen many movies lately, I had no preconceptions of either of the male leads (didn't even recognise them & had read no previews!) Consequently I just got sucked into the story & the characters. Even though I thought that Foxx's protrayal of a mentally ill man was brilliant, I somehow thought that Downey was better in his role as the world-weary journalist who stumbles around a bit in his efforts to help the homeless man who has crossed paths with him.

I would give it an 8 or 9/10.

(ps didn't mean to write such a long piece, but there you go! )

[a_person]

I would give it an 8 or 9/10.

(ps didn't mean to write such a long piece, but there you go! )

Great feedback! Look forward to reading more!

[angelacarr]

I saw this at the Printworks on Tuesday. Thought it was an amazing film and the acting was brilliant. A little disappointed at the ending as I was expecting a big finale - but good none the less!!