April 22, 2009

  • Going Solo

    I’ve had some time to formulate my opinion after attending a free screening of “The Soloist” the other night, starring Jaimie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr.  There were many things I liked about the movie, and overall I think it is worth seeing.  A few things though, bothered me.  I had some initial questions before even seeing the movie.  I knew it had originally been scheduled to be released last November, in time to garner plenty of Oscar buzz.  The release date however, kept changing; never a good sign for a film.  For a good analysis of why this happened, there are a couple of good articles:

    For those of you who don’t know, the film is based on the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a musician who becomes schizophrenic and homeless. Jamie Foxx portrays 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.  Rather than watch the movie’s trailer (which gives entirely too much away), I suggest watching this recent piece from 60 Minutes about the real Nathaniel Ayers:

    The film preaches an important lesson about how we treat the mentally ill and indeed, the thousands of drug addled homeless people inhabiting LA’s infamous skid row.  I couldn’t help thinking as I watched it though, that Foxx’s portrayal of Ayers was a bit too affected.  In 1985, when I was a sophomore in college I started working in three group homes for the developmentally disabled.  It was the best job I ever had.  I actually got paid to have fun with the “residents”, and as a starving college student, I also got free meals and a place to do my laundry.  I would take them bowling and to movies, shopping and the like.  We would go on road trips to the Special Olympics and day trips to amusement parks and concerts.  I would teach them life skills and generally just try to be their friend; and in the process they taught me volumes about compassion and the joy of living.  Many of the residents I worked with had severe schizophrenia, much like Nathaniel Ayers.  I felt the movie was not quite true to the ailment and tried to tie up the loose ends a little too neatly.  What can you expect from a Hollywood film though??  (Personally, I thought “Shine” did a better job of portraying its subject’s illness.)  That said, it’s a touching story, and it’s a film that will hopefully make people think about attitudes towards the homeless in our society.  In fact, after the screening Tony and I stayed for a panel discussion led by homeless advocates who work in L.A.’s skid row.  They spoke eloquently and poignantly about the problem and how it has changed in Los Angeles since recent initiatives poured money into system.  If anything, I hope the movie will open a dialogue and change the way some people treat the homeless.  Making eye contact and saying hello can sometimes go a long way!

    Here are a few pictures with the kids from dinner tonight:


    ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
    “Newspapers across the country are going out of business. It’s pretty scary. So congratulations to the New York Times this week for winning five Pulitzer Prizes. I read about it online on Google News.” — Jay Leno

Comments (23)

  • i’m dying to see this movie come out soon http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASboaNZvXCc

    along with a decent release for Let The Right One In

  • Wow, you’re my hero. I wouldn’t mind actually spending some time with people like that, experiencing a whole different life. I’ve been volunteering at the Red Cross every weekend since last year and theres a story of this guy, coming in and buying a soft blanket for just 5 dollars. I gave him a bag for the blanket but he didnt need one. All he said was ” Thank you, now I have something to sleep on ” . It honestly made me smile the whole day. If I’d known, I would’ve given the blanket to him for free anyway. I really like how these things in life really make you think ” WOW, I’m that lucky to have all this ”

    Oh and Im not such a big fan of Jamie Foxx after what he said about Miley Cyrus on his satellite radio. I personally dont buy into the whole Miley thing * Not going through that phase * but what he said towards Miley as a teenager, a young woman was uncalled for.

    Do you guys have 60 minutes there as well?! We have it here. I guess its a franchise. Something that bothers me is that its not actually 60 minutes..its more like 40 minutes of content and 20 minutes of ads. I’m a party pooper :P

    xx ( Wow this comment is long )

  • @Loltothepower - I didn’t know you did that Jin.  That’s pretty remarkable.  Not a lot of young people these days are that selfless.  Keep up the good work!

  • that was a very interesting and troubling vid – and we like to tell the world what a great country we are and how the rest of the world should live – perhaps we should focus right here at home.  as for the newspapers, i may have to buy a laptop just so i can read the “paper” at the dinner table!  peace, Al

  • Oh this is a good review. I’m glad you didn’t give away too much since I’ve yet to see the movie. Both actors, Jamie and Robert, are musically gifted in real life besides being good actors they are and they fully understood their roles. I’d like to see for myself how Jamie does another real life musician in a biopic.

  • There is a thin line between madness and genius and when the line is blurred, one couldn’t help but feel sorry for those who are affected.

  • hmm, I hadn’t heard of this movie. Maybe I’ll check it out some day. Thanks.

  • having an open discussion about this topic can only help! too often, ppl forget that they too could be where the guy on the corner is… it only takes a bit of fate or a mistake or two… or a serious illness…

  • but don’t you think that most actors have an affectation about the roles they play , especially if the story is a true story?

  • @mr_faust - I think I’ll skip that one.
    @pukemeister - Couldn’t agree more.
    @free2chuze - Thanks.  I bought Jamie as Ray Charles more than I did as this guy…but I’ll be interested to hear your opinion!
    @reckless_eagle - Truer words have never been written Victor!
    @TheDumberScott - Thanks for stopping by!
    @jerjonji - How right you are.  Thanks for the reminder.
    @ZSA_MD - Yes, I do.  But in this role, to me anyway, it was distracting.  But like I said, I still recommend seeing the movie.  Let me know what you think!

  • That sound like a cool movie, I’d like to watch it… and cute kids!

  • Time to check it out :]

  • @SerenaDante - Thanks!  I appreciate that.
    @aliceandrandy - Let me know how you like it.

  • Thanks for stopping by and for the compliment on the photos. Lovely family.

  • @ch0w - Thanks.  That’s kind of you!  Have a great weekend. 

  • Well written, useful review.  I like the personal story you added to make your point.

  • ya, it was a cool movie overall!  showed some parts of LA that i never knew existed, like that park w/the Beethoven statue!

  • @generasianx - I’m looking forward to the picture of LW at that statue!

  • it’s a disturbing movie as well as inspiring. overall a good lesson on life and mental illnesses.

  • @Cultur3sh0x - You saw it already!!??  Wow, it just opened here Friday.  We went to an advance screening.

  • I havent heard of this movie really!

    … the fact that my tv is dead might play a part in that. I find it really great that you have such compassion for people!

  • @arEms - That’s nice of you to say, thanks.  What’s a TV??  LOL

Post a Comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *