6.7 | / 10 |
Users | 4.6 | |
Reviewer | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.2 |
Journalist Steve López discovers Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a former classical-music prodigy, playing his violin on the streets of Los Angeles. As López endeavors to help the homeless man find his way in life, a unique friendship is formed, one which transforms and enriches both their lives.
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, LisaGay HamiltonBiography | 100% |
Music | 85% |
Drama | 28% |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.39:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
English: Dolby TrueHD 5.1
Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1
French: Dolby Digital 5.1
English, English SDH, French, Spanish
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region free
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.0 | |
Audio | 4.5 | |
Extras | 2.5 | |
Overall | 3.5 |
I've had a few setbacks.
Telling the story of Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx, Miami Vice), a
schizophrenic homeless musician, and Steve
Lopez (Robert Downey, Jr., Zodiac), the Los
Angeles Times columnist that attempted to rekindle Ayers' talent and lead him back on a path to
personal and musical
success, The Soloist excels despite telling an emotionally exhausting tale with an
artistically and
thematically first-rate effort thanks in large part to a pair of stellar performances from two
of the finest
actors
working in Hollywood today. Taking on a somber and deliberate tone that drastically differs from
the styles of movies that have made Downey, Jr. and Foxx household names in recent years,
The Soloist allows its performers to shine in a different light where the only special effect
is in the raw emotion of the characters and the struggle to bring forth a ray of light from the
darkness of a troubled mind.
Nathaniel enjoys the sweet sound of the cello.
The Soloist debuts on Blu-ray with a high quality 1080p, 2.39:1-framed transfer. Offering up an image that generally sparkles, The Soloist features a level of clarity that's consistently superb. The transfer delivers natural and accurate colors that carry over to flesh tones. Textures on objects such as walls, both near and far, feature that "reach out and touch me" sort of appearance. Detail is well above average throughout; both the beautifully-finished gift cello Nathaniel receives and his worn, scratched, and otherwise damaged two-string violin look magnificent on-screen. Depth is a strong suit; long-distance objects tend to look sharp and distinct with solid visible detail. Grain is not abundantly heavy in any one scene. Blacks are generally strong, though the image seems to look artificially bright in some places. Blu-ray fans should be satisfied with this strong effort from DreamWorks.
The Soloist plays on Blu-ray with a fulfilling Dolby TrueHD 5.1 lossless soundtrack. As to the non-musically inclined segments, the track serves up some wonderful directional effects. A plane flies left to right, and an ambulance travels through the soundstage from front to back. Ambience is one of the track's strong suits; most every scene comes alive with some sort of environmental support that places the listener directly into the midst of each scene. An interior hospital shot early in the film offers up chatter, rolling gurneys, mechanical beeps, and ringing telephones that fill the soundstage with realistic effects. The soundtrack's more direct moments, for example the music playing through Lopez's stereo in chapter four, sounds full, rich, and wonderful. The track's most prominent feature, of course, comes in the form of the many scenes featuring Nathaniel -- or some cases others and even entire orchestras -- playing instruments. The melodic strings of the cello flow through the soundstage with positively stunning results, allowing the listener to absorb every note. Also delivering crystal-clear dialogue reproduction, The Soloist makes for a somewhat subdued but otherwise strong and well-mixed soundtrack.
The Soloist offers several bonus features, chief among them a commentary track with Director Joe Wright. Wright offers up a somewhat strong track, speaking on the film's themes of the mind and how it works, filming locations (including several real L.A. Times locations), the film's sound design, the music that's dominated by Beethoven and Neil Diamond, filmmaking techniques, and more. An Unlikely Friendship: Making 'The Soloist' (1080i, 19:37) examines how the film came together, beginning with a look at the column that inspired the movie (including interview clips with the real Steve Lopez), the producers' surprise meeting with Nathaniel Ayers, the quality of Lopez's work, the challenge of the roles, the assemblage of particular scenes, the film's authenticity, Foxx's exposure to the cello, and the film's ending. Kindness, Courtesy and Respect: Mr. Ayers + Mr. Lopez (1080i, 4:48) is an all-too-brief piece where the real-life Ayers, Lopez, and Ayers' sister Jennifer recount their story that inspired the film. One Size Does Not Fit All: Addressing Homelessness in Los Angeles (1080i, 9:45) examines the plight of L.A.'s homeless population and their role in inspiring the film. Juilliard: The Education of Nathaniel Ayers (1080i, 4:08) recalls an encounter between Ayers and famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma and several other graduates that contributed to the film. Rounding out the special features is Beth's Story (1080p, 2:02), a short animated piece on homelessness; five deleted scenes (480p, 9:49); and the film's theatrical trailer (1080p, 2:33).
The Soloist is a fine film from every point-of-view. Although it's not the same sort of positively uplifting film as August Rush, it does make for a strong picture that unapologetically captures a slice of life without much in the way of glitz and glamour to make it more audience friendly. The Soloist doesn't work as escapist entertainment but instead as a thinking man's movie that takes audiences into a world that's unforgiving and never quite what moviegoers accustomed to wide-release motion pictures have come to expect. Defined by its pair of top-notch performances, The Soloist is a film worth visiting for anyone with an open mind and desire to experience a film that's far different than the norm. DreamWorks' Blu-ray release impresses all around. Serving up a wonderful transfer, and equally strong lossless soundtrack, and a fine serving of extras, The Soloist earns an easy recommendation.
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Awards O-Ring Slipcover
2005
1994
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1980
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Director's Cut
1984
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