Robert Downey Jr Doesnt Need His Iron Man Suit To Play A Hero In The Soloist
Its a shame that a movie with two phenomenal actors and an inspiring true story could barely recover half of its total budget at the box office. After the immense success of Tropic Thunder and Iron Man it seemed as though anything Robert Downey Jr. touched would turn to gold. The real Steve Lopez may have helped music prodigy Nathaniel Ayers attain a safe and lucrative existence, but the Steve Lopez played by Downey Jr. in The Soloist couldnt do the same for the film.
Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx) is an extremely talented musician. While studying cello at Julliard, Nathaniel falls ill and is forced to return home. Sadly, this illness isnt something that can be treated with antibiotics or thatll just fade away over time; Nathaniel suffers from Schizophrenia. After his mother passes away, Nathaniel takes up residence on the notorious skid row in Los Angeles. Things change when Steve Lopez (Downey Jr.) of the LA Times finds him and decides to make Nathaniel the subject of a series of articles. What begins as a business venture to help Lopez reemerge from a writing rut becomes an emotionally consuming project that helps both men overcome their demons.
Just because the film seemed to fizzle out in the theaters, doesnt mean its release on DVD should be ignored. The Soloist may not have excelled as a film in its entirety, but the story and performances by Foxx and Downey Jr. are notable. The film is certainly not Oscar-worthy as was first suggested, but it is worth a watching.
The bonus feature list was well selected and will likely complement the film. The DVD version comes with An Unlikely Friendship: Making The Soloist, deleted scenes, Kindness, Courtesy and Respect: Mr. Ayers + Mr. Lopez, One Size Does Not Fit All: Addressing Homelessness in Los Angeles, Beths Story and commentary by director Joe Wright. If you opt for the BD youll also get the theatrical trailer and Juilliard: The Education of Nathaniel Ayers. The DVD will cost 19.99 and the Blu-ray version 29.99. Both will be available on August 4th.
Source:cinemablend.com
