The Soloist
A Los Angeles journalist befriends a homeless Juilliard-trained musician, while looking for a new article for the paper.
Critics Sentiment
Lopez discovers Nathaniel playing violin on the streets
Nathaniel loses temper, attacks Graham and leaves recital
The film peaks early with the beautiful street violin discovery, then crashes hardest during Nathaniel's violent breakdown at the recital, a swing of 3.3 points.
Critics found The Soloist to be a technically proficient film elevated by strong performances from Downey Jr. and Foxx, but hampered by tonal uncertainty and heavy-handed execution. The film starts strongly with its compelling premise and beautiful music, but loses momentum in the middle before ending on a realistically bittersweet note. Most reviewers appreciated its unflinching look at homelessness and mental illness, even as they criticized its conventional Hollywood approach to the material.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 74
Robert Downey Jr.
Steve Lopez
Jamie Foxx
Nathaniel Ayers
Catherine Keener
Mary Weston
Tom Hollander
Graham Claydon
Nelsan Ellis
David Carter
Michael Bunin
Adam Crane
LisaGay Hamilton
Jennifer Ayers
Rachael Harris
Leslie Bloom
Stephen Root
Curt Reynolds
Lorraine Toussaint
Flo Ayers
Jena Malone
Cheery Lab Tech
Octavia Spencer
Troubled Woman
Justin Martin
Young Nathaniel
Kokayi Ampah
Bernie Carpenter
Patrick Tatten
Paul Jr.
Susane Lee
Marisa
Marcos De Silvas
Mayor Villaigosa
Ilia Volok
Harry Barnoff
Mike Nowak
Julliard Conductor
David Jean Thomas
Angry Homeless Man
Crew
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