Cinema Society

Just Added! THE SOLOIST

Average
Rating

4

Thursday, April 23, 2009, AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres

JUST ADDED!

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

7:00PM: Cinema Chat with Andy (Auditorium 4)

7:10PM: Introduction (Auditorium 4)

7:20PM: Introduction (Auditorium 5)

7:30PM: THE SOLOIST

AMC La Jolla 12 Theatres

Just Added!

THE SOLOIST

From the director of the Academy Award®-nominated ATONEMENT, Joe Wright, and starring Oscar® nominee Robert Downey Jr., comes this poignant and ultimately soaring tale.

It is based on an incredible true story of a disenchanted journalist’s transformative odyssey through the hidden streets of Los Angeles, where he discovers and builds a most unlikely friendship with a man from those same streets, bonding through the redemptive power of music.

Starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr., THE SOLOIST is a Paramount / Dreamworks Release. It opens commercially in San Diego on April 24th.

Running Time: 109 Minutes Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some drug use and language.

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EVENT TAKES PLACE ON A THURSDAY!

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27-Apr-09: jh - Rating: 4

A soloist is one who goes it alone in life, one who has no real friends, and certainly has no accompaniment in a symphonic orchestra. THE SOLOIST is a tragic title; for it's the dream to which Nathaniel Anthony Ayres can never aspire. Ayres' story is tough to tell and heart-breaking to hear. It's the story of schizophrenia and how one deals with it, whether that one is Ayres or Lopez. With their superb performances, Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. tell this story well.

26-Apr-09: M.Roe - Rating: 4

I thought there were a lot of layers to this film. Initially about "illness", then music and friendship and even sheds light on the issue of homelessness (especially how concentrated it is in one area). How amazing the scenes of strikes of color, the birds-eye-view from the sky, to depict how one might see and feel music...and even more importantly the power of friendship.

I also thought is was interesting that in our previous film "Lightbulb" that the lead character Matt was described as "creative" and "imaginative" for hearing voices as a means of inspiration and ideas (though I know there was some confusion for some at the end of the film as to whether he/they were really getting feed/voices from those towers) but still we are accepting of this "ability" because it "seems" to be a controlled situation where as "The Soloist"'s Nathaniel is schizophrenic because he is not quite in control of his state of mind....Oh and I too did have trouble hearing some of the dialogue and not just Jaime Foxx's part (I accept that due to the often times the character talks so quickly and about random things and then has the tendency to trail off) but I don't understand why it was so difficult to hear Robert Downey Jr.'s lines...????

24-Apr-09: pb - Rating: 3

Well done interpretation of a real life friendship. It felt a little too long and I couldn't get away from the actors being so well known that they were always Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. playing parts. The use of the real homeless was brilliant. Touching and humbling.

24-Apr-09: Kathy Dunn - Rating: 5

Wonderful performances by Robert Downey Jr. (who has matured so wonderfully in his recent acting) and of course the great Jamie Foxx. Having seen the "60 Minutes" piece on the real Mr. Ayers and Mr. Lopez, it was interesting to see how these two actors interpreted the roles. You can see the "60 Minutes" piece here: http://www.ffwd.com/videos/542273684?ctid=5&cvid=313

I thought the special effects trying to depict how someone with schizophrenia perceives our world were effective although a little contrived. I hope this film is a commercial success so these performance are not forgotten next winter come Oscar/Golden Globe, etc. awards nomination times.

24-Apr-09: JFY - Rating: 3

RDJ and Jamie Foxx really carry this film; Foxx did well by not going "full schizo", but the plot was a bit thin to carry the entire nearly 2 hours, could've been shorter.

A couple of very unique visual scenes, following to birds out of LA and the hearing colors/seeing music, but they seemed a little out of place. Interesting that the film had to portray Steve Lopez as divorced, while the real Steve Lopez remains happily married, guess it just adds to the drama. Glad to see that there wasn't just a simple answer to solve everyone's problems, it's just about "grace".

Better return that shopping cart and milk crate...

23-Apr-09: ms - Rating: 5

Perfect casting, wonderful acting (of course I am partial to RDJ) and a great story. What is not to like?