STARRING:Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, Lisa Gay Hamilton
RUNTIME:1 hour 45 minutes
RATING:PG-13 (thematic elements, some drug use and language)
RELEASE DATE:April 24, 2009
In 2005 journalist Steve Lopez met homeless musician Nathaniel Anthony Ayers. This movie is based on the true story of their encounter. Lopez (Academy Award nominee Robert Downey Jr.) stumbles across Ayers (Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx) playing a two-string violin in the skid row section of Los Angeles. They strike up a friendship as Lopez discovers that Ayers was a former classical music prodigy. As Lopez attempts to help Ayers find his way back, their relationship transforms both their lives.
Steve Lopez, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, wrote the book The Soloist: A Lost Dream, An Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music, based on his real life encounter with Nathaniel Anthony Ayers. The story is moving and powerful, as it describes Lopez’s attempts to help Ayers overcome his challenges.
Jamie Foxx first hit the big time as a funny man, full of talent and wit (see Jamie Foxx). Now his acting repertoire runs the spectrum, including dramatic roles, and roles that take advantage of his musical talents. Foxx, who studied classical music in college, won an Academy Award in 2005 for his portrayal of musician Ray Charles in the movie “Ray”. Born Eric Marlon Bishop, he took the androgynous name Jamie Foxx because he learned that female performers got preference for stage time on open mike nights at comedy clubs.
Robert Downey Jr. is fresh off quite a successful year in 2008, as he starred in the blockbuster hit “Iron Man”, and received numerous award nominations for his performance in the action comedy “Tropic Thunder”. His schedule continues to be busy as he is currently filming “Sherlock Holmes”, in which he is starring in the lead role.
Jamie Foxx plus Robert Downey Jr. equals a flick I’m looking forward to!
