The Soloist

The Soloist is an absorbing, illuminating film which is dramatically engaging, keeps it real, in a psychiatric sense, and is never patronising.

It's an amazing story.

Intelligent and uncompromising, with knock-out performances from Downey Jr. and Foxx.

A deliriously imperfect film - and all the better for it.

Ultimately, the reason that The Soloist fails is because the writer and the director have been bamboozled by the seriousness of the subject matter.

It’s a potentially powerful little examination of human life that doesn’t look too closely, remains enjoyable for the duration, but unfortunately, fades from memory as soon as it’s over.

Problems in pacing arise as the relatively simple plot is stretched thin.

Redeemed by Robert Downey, Jr.'s usual standout performance.

The film, however, is rather like one of the Bach cello suites mentioned in the movie performed by a technically competent but passionless player - it doesn't assault your senses, but it doesn't excite them, either.