Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- melancholic
- compassionate
- earnest
- reflective evening
- social issue film night
What critics said
Critics broadly valued Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx’s performances but found the direction and narrative focus uneven, keeping the potentially uplifting true story from fully landing.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Newspaper columnist Steve Lopez forms a difficult, caring relationship with homeless musician Nathaniel Ayers.
Ayers performs classical music on damaged instruments while living on the streets of Los Angeles.
Lopez tries to improve Ayers's life, but personal intervention repeatedly meets mental illness, homelessness, and broader injustice.
The story moves through Los Angeles's newspaper offices, public streets, shelters, and cultural venues, contrasting privilege with homelessness.
Films like The Soloist, and why
Ray
shared true-story drama, music-centered character portrait, and compassionate focus on marginalized people
Shine
shared biographical drama, extraordinary musician protagonist, and emotionally grounded treatment of mental illness
The Fisher King
shared urban social realism, unlikely friendship, and concern with homelessness and human dignity
Crazy Heart
shared music drama, troubled artist, and intimate exploration of recovery and personal connection
Movie Details
- Director
- Joe Wright
- Release Date
- 2009-04-24
- Runtime
- 117 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (856)
Cast
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Jamie Foxx
- Catherine Keener
- Tom Hollander
- Nelsan Ellis
- Michael Bunin
- LisaGay Hamilton
- Rachael Harris
- Stephen Root
- Lorraine Toussaint
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Soloist about?
- A newspaper columnist’s attempt to rescue a gifted homeless cellist becomes a searching portrait of friendship, mental illness, and the limits of good intentions.
- What is The Soloist like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Soloist as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Soloist violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in The Soloist.
- What did critics think of The Soloist?
- Critics broadly valued Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx’s performances but found the direction and narrative focus uneven, keeping the potentially uplifting true story from fully landing.
- Which films are like The Soloist?
- Films with a similar feel include Ray, Shine, The Fisher King, and Crazy Heart.
- How long is The Soloist?
- The Soloist runs 117 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Soloist?
- In United States, The Soloist is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
