THE SOLOIST

Title: The Soloist
Jan's Rating: 7
Time: Approx. 2 hrs.

Jan's Opinion: As you might already know, this is a true story about Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless musician who has some mental problems (played byJamie Foxx) and Steve Lopez, a journalist (played by Robert Downey, Jr.). Steve Lopez needs a new story and happens to meet Nathaniel Ayers playing his violin in the streets of Los Angeles. The violin only has 2 strings so Steve writes an article about this homeless man who plays the violin with 2 strings. He soon gets a donation of a lovely bass from an elderly woman who is unable to play it any more and of course he gives it to Nathaniel. The story jumps around a lot from present to past and to Steve's personal life with his ex-wife but most of the story centers around Nathaniel. Cousin Bonnie didn't care for it because of the way it jumped around, said that it was disjointed, but that is probably because that is the way the journalist saw the story. We both found it difficult to understand Jamie Foxx when he was talking but his acting was very good, as was Robert Downey, Jr. I have to say it wasn't my favorite movie but it was okay.