THE SOLOIST
CAROLINE: “The Soloist” is a new movie starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. that was supposed to come out last fall. For some reason, it got bumped to this random release date, and after seeing it, I kinda know why.
RYAN: Yikes. Was it that bad?
CAROLINE: No, it’s not terrible or anything; but it certainly isn’t awesome. Based on its old release date, it seemed to be poised for Oscar contention. But now it’s pretty much getting buried.
RYAN: It’s very strange. But honestly, the movie’s premise isn’t that original.
CAROLINE: Yeah, we’ve definitely seen the mentally challenged street musician thing before. This time it’s Jamie Foxx as a schizophrenic cellist/former Juilliard student. Robert Downey is a reporter who discovers him, writes about him and tries to help him get off the streets. It’s based on a true story.
RYAN: Snore.
CAROLINE: [laughs’ It definitely had some moments that dragged. By the end, I was waiting for it to be over.
RYAN: That’s a bummer.
CAROLINE: It also had those moments where I could tell they were trying to make the audience cry, or at least get misty. But I wasn’t falling for it. It was a little too obvious.
RYAN: You didn’t tear up even a little?
CAROLINE: Not at all. I was not emotionally attached.
RYAN: How was the acting? Jamie Foxx is an Oscar winner after all. And Robert Downey Jr. is… well, R.D.J.
CAROLINE: I know, and he’s amazing in everything he does. I loved him in this, as always. Jamie Foxx is fine, but he’s not my favorite. He just seemed to be channeling Dustin Hoffman in “Rain Man” here.
RYAN: How annoying. I’m so over him.
CAROLINE: One interesting thing is when they showed Jamie Foxx at the homeless shelter, they used actual mentally ill and homeless people as extras. It’s very clear that they’re not actors. It’s real crackheads and everything.
RYAN: That’s wild! And a little gross.
— BOTTOM LINE —
CAROLINE: It’s an OK movie, but nothing special. It was supposed to pull at your heartstrings, but I wasn’t really feeling it. I’m kinda tired of maudlin movies like this. I didn’t even know why Robert Downey’s character cared that much about some homeless musician. You could tell the movie had grand ambitions, but ultimately it wasn’t nearly as good as it aspired to be.
RYAN: Can’t say I’m sorry I missed it.
–RATING–
