The Soloist: Difference between revisions
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*[[Jamie Foxx]] as [[Nathaniel Ayers]], a musician who becomes schizophrenic and homeless. Foxx, who has been classically trained on the piano, is being taught stringed instruments by [[Los Angeles Philharmonic]] cellist Ben Hong for the role.<ref name=tunes/> Also, Foxx had chiseled his teeth in order to show a realistic appearance. Foxx also stated that filming was comparable to his troubled childhood years. |
*[[Jamie Foxx]] as [[Nathaniel Ayers]], a musician who becomes schizophrenic and homeless. Foxx, who has been classically trained on the piano, is being taught stringed instruments by [[Los Angeles Philharmonic]] cellist Ben Hong for the role.<ref name=tunes/> Also, Foxx had chiseled his teeth in order to show a realistic appearance. Foxx also stated that filming was comparable to his troubled childhood years. |
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*[[Robert Downey, Jr.]] as [[Steve Lopez]], a columnist for the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' who wrote about Nathaniel Ayers and developed a friendship with him.<ref name=joins/> |
*[[Robert Downey, Jr.]] as [[Steve Lopez]], a columnist for the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' who wrote about Nathaniel Ayers and developed a friendship with him.<ref name=joins/> |
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*[[Catherine Keener]] as Lopez's editor at the ''Los Angeles Times''.<ref>{{cite news | author=Tatiana Siegel | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117973068.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | title=Keener to co-star in 'Soloist' | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-09-30]] | accessdate=2008-02-07 }}</ref> |
*[[Catherine Keener]] as Lopez's ex-wife and editor at the ''Los Angeles Times''.<ref>{{cite news | author=Tatiana Siegel | url=http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117973068.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 | title=Keener to co-star in 'Soloist' | publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] | date=[[2007-09-30]] | accessdate=2008-02-07 }}</ref> |
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*[[Tom Hollander]] as Peter Snyder, a Los Angeles Philharmonic cellist who attempts to rehabilitate Ayers.<ref>Hollander, Tom. "Tom Hollander talks about The Soloist", ''[[Richard & Judy]]'', [[Channel 4]], [[2008-02-14]].</ref> |
*[[Tom Hollander]] as Peter Snyder, a Los Angeles Philharmonic cellist who attempts to rehabilitate Ayers.<ref>Hollander, Tom. "Tom Hollander talks about The Soloist", ''[[Richard & Judy]]'', [[Channel 4]], [[2008-02-14]].</ref> |
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*[[Lisa Gay Hamilton]] as Jennifer, a sister of Nathaniel Ayers.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.soloistmovie.com/ | title=The Soloist - Official Movie Site | work=soloistmovie.com | publisher=[[DreamWorks]] | accessdate=2008-07-25 }}</ref> |
*[[Lisa Gay Hamilton]] as Jennifer, a sister of Nathaniel Ayers.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.soloistmovie.com/ | title=The Soloist - Official Movie Site | work=soloistmovie.com | publisher=[[DreamWorks]] | accessdate=2008-07-25 }}</ref> |
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Revision as of 20:47, 24 April 2009
| The Soloist | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Joe Wright |
| Written by | Susannah Grant Steve Lopez (articles and book) |
| Produced by | Gary Foster Russ Krasnoff |
| Starring | Jamie Foxx Robert Downey Jr. Catherine Keener |
| Music by | Dario Marianelli |
Production companies | |
| Distributed by | DreamWorks Pictures (USA) Universal Pictures (non-USA) |
Release date | April 24, 2009 September 11, 2009 (UK) |
Running time | 105 Minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $60 million |
The Soloist is a forthcoming American drama film directed by Joe Wright and written by Susannah Grant. The film is based on a true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a musician who becomes schizophrenic and homeless. Jamie Foxx portrays Nathaniel Ayers, who is considered a cello prodigy, and Robert Downey Jr. portrays Steve Lopez, a Los Angeles Times columnist who discovers Ayers and writes about him in the newspaper. Production of the film began in January 2008 and was filmed mostly in Los Angeles, with some scenes shot in Cleveland. The film was scheduled to be released on November 21, 2008, but has been delayed to March 13, 2009, and then to April 24, 2009.[1]
Plot
The Soloist is based on the true story of Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), a musical prodigy who developed schizophrenia during his second year at Juilliard School. Ayers becomes homeless in the streets of downtown Los Angeles, playing the violin and the cello.[2]
Cast
- Jamie Foxx as Nathaniel Ayers, a musician who becomes schizophrenic and homeless. Foxx, who has been classically trained on the piano, is being taught stringed instruments by Los Angeles Philharmonic cellist Ben Hong for the role.[2] Also, Foxx had chiseled his teeth in order to show a realistic appearance. Foxx also stated that filming was comparable to his troubled childhood years.
- Robert Downey, Jr. as Steve Lopez, a columnist for the Los Angeles Times who wrote about Nathaniel Ayers and developed a friendship with him.[3]
- Catherine Keener as Lopez's ex-wife and editor at the Los Angeles Times.[4]
- Tom Hollander as Peter Snyder, a Los Angeles Philharmonic cellist who attempts to rehabilitate Ayers.[5]
- Lisa Gay Hamilton as Jennifer, a sister of Nathaniel Ayers.[6]
- Rachael Harris as Lopez's co-worker.[7]
Production
The Soloist, directed by Joe Wright, was written by Susannah Grant, based on a series of columns[8] written by Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez, who wrote about the plight of schizophrenic musician Nathaniel Ayers.[2] Grant also drew elements of the story from a book written by Lopez, which was published in the spring of 2008.[3] The film was budgeted at $60 million, twice the budget amount of Wright's previous film, Atonement.[9] Production began in January 2008 and was filmed mostly in Los Angeles.[2]
Reception
Overall, the film has received lukewarm to mixed reactions across the majority of its reviews. The film currently holds a total 59% Freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes (resulting in a "Rotten" status), and a 61% on Metacritic. Common consensus among reviewers praise the performances by Robert Downey Jr and Jamie Foxx, yet a majority of critics comment on the film's lack of narrative focus in attempting to tell a convincing or engaging story due to the somewhat "uneven" direction by British filmmaker, Joe Wright.
References
- ^ http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117994310.html?categoryid=13&cs=1
- ^ a b c d Michael Fleming (2007-08-16). "Jamie Foxx tunes up for 'Soloist'". Variety. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ a b Michael Fleming (2007-08-27). "Downey Jr. joins Wright's 'Soloist'". Variety. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Tatiana Siegel (2007-09-30). "Keener to co-star in 'Soloist'". Variety. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Hollander, Tom. "Tom Hollander talks about The Soloist", Richard & Judy, Channel 4, 2008-02-14.
- ^ "The Soloist - Official Movie Site". soloistmovie.com. DreamWorks. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
- ^ Carly Mayberry (2007-12-18). "Harris aboard 'Soloist' team". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2008-02-07.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-lopez-skidrow-nathaniel-series,0,1456093.special
- ^ "Atonement director shocked by big Hollywood budget". World Entertainment News Network. 2008-01-14.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help)
- Thompson, Anne. "Wright's 'Soloist' won't play holiday" , Variety, October 19, 2008.