The Soloist is a beautifully crafted film.
Robert Downey, Jr. is, as always, wonderful as LA Times columnist Steve Lopez. There is something about his own well worn face and expressive eyes that imbues his portrayal with a truth that another actor would not have been able to bring. The script does not gloss over Lopez’s flaws and turn him into a refugee from a TV Movie of the Week, and all of those flaws are visible thanks to RDJ’s performance.
I think in the hands of director without the deft touch of Joe Wright, this could have been heavy handed, treacly, feel-good pap. Despite the fact that this is a true story, the audience is allowed to go on Lopez’s journey with him. No one is holding up flashcards and telling the viewer what to feel next.
Here’s what I want to know: What the hell happened to this film’s marketing campaign? (Or I should say the lack thereof). It was pushed back twice and finally released in April of this year with almost no press and was quickly forgotten. That usually means it’s crap. In fact, it sends the message that it’s crap and the studio behind it (in this case that’s studios plural) has no faith in their product. I’ve heard rumblings that the scheduled release last Fall (which would have put it in awards contention) was nixed because of the country’s economic downturn, and who wants to see a movie about homeless people? Are we really that fragile? This movie deserved to be in awards contention, probably at least as much, if not more than some that were.
The argument could be made that with the expansion of the Best Picture category to ten slots that it has a better chance this year. The April release date, however, is probably still a handicap. And it would be a damn shame if this were overlooked. Foxx, Downey,Jr. and Wright all deserve consideration.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized and tagged gerard butler, jamie foxx, joe wright, robert downey jr. Bookmark the permalink.
This is exactly the kind of movie review I like and where so many reviewers fall short … you’ve looked at the actors performances and the director’s achievement, not just in this film but put into the larger context of their body of work, and how that alchemy has resulted in a film that does justice to a compelling true story. Your “take” on the possible reason the studios failed to release and market this film commensurate with its quality is thought provoking. This movie goes on my “must see” list!
Awesome first blog! You are hardly ever wrong. Time for the world to benefit. When you are famous I will regale them with the story of the time you watched Ernest Saves Christmas. Mwaaaaah!
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