The Soloist

The Soloist (Original Title: The Soloist ) is a film drama from 2009 The film is based on the book of the U.S. journalist Steve Lopez.. It tells the true story of Nathaniel Ayers gifted cellist who suffers from schizophrenia. The main characters are Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. play The screenplay for the film was written by Susannah Grant and directed by Joe Wright. The theatrical release in Germany was on 10 December 2009.

Action

Journalist Steve Lopez is shortly before printing on the search for a topic for his column in the Los Angeles Times. In the city he meets the homeless Nathaniel Ayers and considers him while playing a violin with only two strings. He learns that Ayers has previously studied at the prestigious conservatory Juilliard School and a gifted cellist was. Lopez describes his impressions in his column and receives response including a cello that a reader for Ayers has determined as a gift. He gives him the cello under the condition that Ayers looks for a place to sleep in a point of contact for mentally ill homeless people. The two become friends, while Lopez further columns about Ayers writes and experienced its schizophrenic relapses. In an effort to help Ayers he urges him to seek medical treatment, and burdened with the relationship of trust. Finally, Lopez realizes that music ( especially those of Ayers 's favorite composer Beethoven) seems to be the only anchor for Ayers.

As the film several flashbacks depict the childhood of Ayers, his entry triggers the Conservatory and his incipient schizophrenia, which prevents him from playing, afraid of his apartment and eventually drives him into the street.

Criticism

" The Soloist ' goes several times to heart, because here the high culture is sent to negotiate with the uncertainties of fate. [ ... ] The Soloist ' is in the tradition of Hollywood hits like Rain Man '; always stands in the center an acting performance that is aimed directly onto the virtuoso. Jamie Foxx exaggerates it fortunately not unrestrained, but he also can not prevent that director Joe Wright applying generally quite thick. It's as if the film itself would like a symphony by Beethoven to be. "

"The intention of the film to draw attention to the plight of the homeless in the City of Angels is, honestly. It would have been desirable that this does not happen in such a sober narrative that leaves completely untouched. Conclusion: Passion Loser appeal to humanity. "

" The drama served primarily relevant audience expectations and never finds to his own style or an inner center. The performance of the performer ultimately falls to the low ability of Inspiration Written and directed to the victim. "

" Jamie Foxx uses its considerable representation of a convincing picture of the typical psychotic symptoms, as they so often unfortunately be observed in the homeless. [ ... ] Broken the pressure to perform at the Academy he is now also take care of an antique cello, which is worth several tens of thousands of dollars. No wonder he suffers a severe setback. Here would have to use the actual story, here could Joe Wright's film actually immerse yourself in the world of the socially excluded, and to ask why these people can also be measured in a philanthropic social drama still on their achievements. [ ... ] It's like the unspeakable, desert flower who just counted her one millionth visitor: Nobody expects more so, that there are other stories are as, Millionaire and classical music superstar. '"

Awards

German Film and Media Review (FBW ): predicate particularly valuable

France 2009 in film Film score Dario Marianelli Seamus McGarvey Robert Downey, Jr. Tom Hollander Berliner Zeitung Frankfurter Rundschau
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