insta-review: the soloist

go see it.

o... you want to know why? ok. it is a compelling story of a relationship between a professional columnist and a homeless savant. robert downey junior plays steve lopez, a writer for the LA Times, who meets jaime foxx's nathaniel ayers beneath a statue of beethoven and there begins to traverse the incredibly complicated terrain of the human experience as complicated by schizophrenia. a newsroom in decline, bright urban LA, and a shelter rooted in the seamiest skid row are backdrops for the development of a real bond between them. themes of exploitation (both professional and political), of charity vs. arrogance, and of the beauty of even the most corruptly human do stumble a little with heavy handedness, but each point hit close enough to home to create pause. also, it was a visual treat. i did not stay to see the credits, but the DP should be applauded. each image, most especially of the crowds of skid row, held layer upon layer of information. smaller stories played out in the periphery without drawing your attention away from the stunning performances of the lead players. even katherine keener was subdued and no where near as obnoxious as usual, though she did manage to play the same character that she always does. in short, i am glad that i didn't know she was in it, as it would have been a real shame to miss it.
h.