"The Soloist" screams Fall release. Why it has been set loose on audiences late April is utterly beyond me. It's a sobering movie that demands respect from the viewer. Releasing it just prior to the summer VFX, blow 'em up, box office monsters seems odd and misplaced and will surely result in low low numbers. It's not an Oscar contender and it's certainly not a dud that you casually throw out in early Spring. It's simply: serious...and serious deserves a viable platform. Bad move studio moguls. Really bad move. You're going to lose money on two very bankable stars who are telling an incredible true-life story of struggle, difficult choices, and hope. These themes ring especially true during these times to be sure but it's just a shame that the film won't get the chance to gather steam.
"The Soloist" is brought to us by director Joe Wright whose only real claim to fame is directing last year's sweeping drama, "Atonement" (a film with has arguably one of the best first acts of any story I've ever seen). Wright nails the tone needed to convey the struggle of musician Nathaniel Ayers, a homeless man haunted by Schizophrenia.
"State of Play" and "The Soloist" might end up being the only cinematic representations of the change in the tides we're currently in the midst of: the death of the newspaper. In subtle ways, "The Soloist" points out the importance of reporters to dig deeper and be involved. Homelessness & mental illness are at the forefront of this specific story but there are obviously so many other social issues that need caring people with investigative minds to bring to the public's attention. Who will carry that torch?
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