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Foxx, Downey Lift Soloist

Stars make based-on-true-story tearjerker worthwhile despite some bum notes

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Apr 24, 2009 9:33 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Soloist—an adaptation of a LA Times reporter's memoir of his friendship with a homeless man—may not hit all the right notes with critics, but powerful performances from Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx save the day.

Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter: The pair are "both charismatic as hell without sacrificing any of the emotional honesty necessary for you to believe that these movie stars are a scruffy reporter and a mentally ill musician."

Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer: The movie's tone "is wildly uneven. Though unsparing and unsentimental when framing the principals, (director Joe) Wright is hyperbolic when depicting the agitation of the mentally ill and the soothing rapture of music."
James Rocchi, MSN Movies: The film "is like its two protagonists: It's a little messy and beaten up in spots, but ultimately it's decent and dignified."

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

Jamie Foxx portrays Nathaniel Ayers, left, and Robert Downey Jr. portrays Steve Lopez in a scene from "The Soloist." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures)

Jamie Foxx portrays homeless musician Nathaniel Ayers in a scene from "The Soloist." (AP Photo/Paramount Pictures)

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Trailer for "The Soloist." (YouTube)

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Foxx, Downey Lift Soloist