Jason KingThe Soloist ($13.50)
September 9th 2009 07:27
:
REVIEW BY DAVE
Category: No Category
THE SOLOIST - review by Dave
WORTH: $ 13.50
Director Joe Wright trod a very fine line with Atonement.
When making a film that so wholeheartedly praises a different medium such as the written form, the filmmaker borders on degrading the medium he is using. In Atonement Wright retained the ending from the novel, which worked on paper, but did not translate to cinema. The end of that picture went so far to praise prose that I couldn't help but wonder why I was watching the movie instead of reading the book. It ultimately soured and degraded cinema.
This was a problem that affected The Reader also. With The Soloist Wright tackles a new medium: Music. As he displayed in Pride and Prejudice as well as Atonement, his ability to choreograph the camera is excellent. It's what saved Atonement from becoming an advertisement for literature. Whilst Atonement had other issues with development of character, it ultimately could never have recovered from its insulting ending... his new film however, does not suffer the same fate as it has a much stronger screenplay, that tackles the issues of mental illness and homelessness amongst it's brilliant characterizations.
I hate to constantly refer to Atonement, but it is necessary because that film almost seems like a trial run for this film. Wright attempts to showcase the virtues of a singular medium from within another, and succeeds this time. It is quite the shame that The Soloist did not receive the award hype/ audience that Atonement had.
The Soloist is the story of Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.), a columnist from the Los Angeles times. Whilst looking for a story he uncovers Nathaniel (Jamie Foxx); A homeless Julliard alum, he is a kind human being, and a genius musician. He happens to have schizophrenia. Nathaniel has a gift that he cannot give due to his paranoid delusions, and for Steve Lopez this begins as a story about a man for his column, but snowballs into a crusade for the homeless and Nathaniel's life, and significantly for a beautiful friendship to develop between the two men, a friendship which may have the potential to save Nathaniel's life. It is based on a true story.
This leads Lopez to uncover Natahaniel's back-story, and through his investigation we gain insight into Homeless culture such as the crime and street life/ commune life. We gain insight into mental illness, and the ways in which Wright divulges the paranoia and helplessness of the people is heart breaking.
Primarily that is what the film is about, the virtues of music are extolled mainly as Nathaniel's way to cope with his illness. The film harks, and homage's the classic Milos Forman film Amadeus (Tom Hollander who plays Mozart in that film has a role as a music teacher/orchestra curator in this film), particularly in the way the topic of music itself is handled.
Amadeus, through the character of Salieri showcases that talent is a gift that people have to give, some have it and others don't, but if you have the power to move someone through the arts then you must showcase it. The Soloist takes this idea further by showing us the shame that there are so many people out there who due to their up bringing, social circumstance and significantly their illness are disallowed to give the gift of their talent by no fault of their own.
Jamie Foxx gives a wonderful performance as Nathaniel, he does not repeat Ray, and he never borders on being over the top. It is a very sensitive portrayal and is in no way patronizing. It's an incredibly nuanced role, but what makes this movie work is Robert Downey Jr.
His character begins the film like the audience, wary and apprehensive towards the homeless and the mentally ill, even somewhat bigoted. Through the film his eyes open and that is how ours does too. His performance is incredible.
It must be mentioned that he only goes from strength to strength with each role and is surely on his way for an Academy award in the next year or two.
The film is beautifully shot, and the thing that always impresses with Joe Wrights pictures is that each shot is carefully framed with his amazing conceptual eye. There are so many beautiful striking images here. It's technically impressive and accomplished. The film is however not flawless. As it is very poetical certain scenes lose their impact from the visual flourishes, there is a particular scene with birds that was very frustrating for myself.
Many scenes involving the homeless get very sentimental and bogged down in Hallmark commentary, it is over indulgent in parts and almost plays as propaganda for the homeless in places. Overall it is generally very sensitive and strong, after all it is the poetic visuals in the film that are finer pieces, even though a couple of the slices of the pie were too sugary.
It's a very character driven film however, and it never once gets overbearingly preachy. Having every moment directly involve Nathaniel or Lopez averts that danger. This serves the characters, the story and the commentary they are making. The script is a little choppy and overindulgent, but because Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx are so engaging you don't mind watching them in the pointless slow scenes.
Catherine Keeners (JK's note - I LOVE HER) character did not serve much purpose, why she had such a huge presence in the picture is beyond me, I did have the feeling that a lot of her scenes hit the cutting room floor for pacing, so maybe a directors cut might solve that issue.
Ultimately The Soloist is average screenplay that is elevated by it's brilliant direction and casting. It's a joy to watch and makes commentary that is intriguing and insightful. Another draft and it may have been a masterpiece. It is a finer film than Atonement merely because it does not extol the virtues of another medium to such a degree that you question its cinematic worth.
I didn't once question whether I should listen to Nathaniel's music instead, even though the picture went into depth about the power of music. I also didn't check my watch.
Engaging and thoughtful, well made and performed, even if somewhat lacking.
WORTH: $ 13.50
Director Joe Wright trod a very fine line with Atonement.
When making a film that so wholeheartedly praises a different medium such as the written form, the filmmaker borders on degrading the medium he is using. In Atonement Wright retained the ending from the novel, which worked on paper, but did not translate to cinema. The end of that picture went so far to praise prose that I couldn't help but wonder why I was watching the movie instead of reading the book. It ultimately soured and degraded cinema.
This was a problem that affected The Reader also. With The Soloist Wright tackles a new medium: Music. As he displayed in Pride and Prejudice as well as Atonement, his ability to choreograph the camera is excellent. It's what saved Atonement from becoming an advertisement for literature. Whilst Atonement had other issues with development of character, it ultimately could never have recovered from its insulting ending... his new film however, does not suffer the same fate as it has a much stronger screenplay, that tackles the issues of mental illness and homelessness amongst it's brilliant characterizations.
I hate to constantly refer to Atonement, but it is necessary because that film almost seems like a trial run for this film. Wright attempts to showcase the virtues of a singular medium from within another, and succeeds this time. It is quite the shame that The Soloist did not receive the award hype/ audience that Atonement had.
The Soloist is the story of Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.), a columnist from the Los Angeles times. Whilst looking for a story he uncovers Nathaniel (Jamie Foxx); A homeless Julliard alum, he is a kind human being, and a genius musician. He happens to have schizophrenia. Nathaniel has a gift that he cannot give due to his paranoid delusions, and for Steve Lopez this begins as a story about a man for his column, but snowballs into a crusade for the homeless and Nathaniel's life, and significantly for a beautiful friendship to develop between the two men, a friendship which may have the potential to save Nathaniel's life. It is based on a true story.
This leads Lopez to uncover Natahaniel's back-story, and through his investigation we gain insight into Homeless culture such as the crime and street life/ commune life. We gain insight into mental illness, and the ways in which Wright divulges the paranoia and helplessness of the people is heart breaking.
Primarily that is what the film is about, the virtues of music are extolled mainly as Nathaniel's way to cope with his illness. The film harks, and homage's the classic Milos Forman film Amadeus (Tom Hollander who plays Mozart in that film has a role as a music teacher/orchestra curator in this film), particularly in the way the topic of music itself is handled.
Amadeus, through the character of Salieri showcases that talent is a gift that people have to give, some have it and others don't, but if you have the power to move someone through the arts then you must showcase it. The Soloist takes this idea further by showing us the shame that there are so many people out there who due to their up bringing, social circumstance and significantly their illness are disallowed to give the gift of their talent by no fault of their own.
Jamie Foxx gives a wonderful performance as Nathaniel, he does not repeat Ray, and he never borders on being over the top. It is a very sensitive portrayal and is in no way patronizing. It's an incredibly nuanced role, but what makes this movie work is Robert Downey Jr.
His character begins the film like the audience, wary and apprehensive towards the homeless and the mentally ill, even somewhat bigoted. Through the film his eyes open and that is how ours does too. His performance is incredible.
It must be mentioned that he only goes from strength to strength with each role and is surely on his way for an Academy award in the next year or two.
The film is beautifully shot, and the thing that always impresses with Joe Wrights pictures is that each shot is carefully framed with his amazing conceptual eye. There are so many beautiful striking images here. It's technically impressive and accomplished. The film is however not flawless. As it is very poetical certain scenes lose their impact from the visual flourishes, there is a particular scene with birds that was very frustrating for myself.
Many scenes involving the homeless get very sentimental and bogged down in Hallmark commentary, it is over indulgent in parts and almost plays as propaganda for the homeless in places. Overall it is generally very sensitive and strong, after all it is the poetic visuals in the film that are finer pieces, even though a couple of the slices of the pie were too sugary.
It's a very character driven film however, and it never once gets overbearingly preachy. Having every moment directly involve Nathaniel or Lopez averts that danger. This serves the characters, the story and the commentary they are making. The script is a little choppy and overindulgent, but because Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx are so engaging you don't mind watching them in the pointless slow scenes.
Catherine Keeners (JK's note - I LOVE HER) character did not serve much purpose, why she had such a huge presence in the picture is beyond me, I did have the feeling that a lot of her scenes hit the cutting room floor for pacing, so maybe a directors cut might solve that issue.
Ultimately The Soloist is average screenplay that is elevated by it's brilliant direction and casting. It's a joy to watch and makes commentary that is intriguing and insightful. Another draft and it may have been a masterpiece. It is a finer film than Atonement merely because it does not extol the virtues of another medium to such a degree that you question its cinematic worth.
I didn't once question whether I should listen to Nathaniel's music instead, even though the picture went into depth about the power of music. I also didn't check my watch.
Engaging and thoughtful, well made and performed, even if somewhat lacking.
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Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
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And whether Keener was not required she is one of my all time faves to watch in onscreen and ever since Being John Malovich I have been in love with her.