The Soloist: The Music of Life

In The Soloist, Jamie Foxx plays Nathaniel Anthony Ayers, a 50-something homeless violinist who once attended Juillard as a gifted artist. Although naturally talented, Nathaniel has schizophrenia. In spite of his condition, he continues to play a two string violin in the streets of greater Los Angeles. He loves Beethoven since he was a young boy and knows every fact about his life. He immersed in classical music to escape poverty and his mental demons. Nathaniel is a character who talks constantly about famous musical geniuses from Beethoven to Yo-Yo Ma. What is clearly evident from the first introduction of Nathaniel is his divine love and passion for music. Music is his first love and language.
Later, we meet Steve Lopez (plays by Robert Downey Jr.), a divorced reporter from the L.A. Times who decided to make Nathaniel the center of his columns. George‘s life is polar opposite to Nathaniel’s. For starters, he has a career, a family and a place to call home. His first column about Nathaniel drew praises and inspired a reader to donate a fully functioning violin for Nathaniel. George became mired in Nathaniel’s life and his struggles with mental health. Like most people, his first assumption is that Nathaniel needs medication. Throughout the movie, I wonder, what is Steve Lopez’s real motivation for writing about Nathaniel’s story? Is he exploiting him to sell newspapers and advance his career ambitions? At times, he seems like a friend, a confidant and a mentor. On other occasions, he acts like a caring social worker and advocate. He even rented a furnished apartment for Nathaniel and a fellow musician to give him music lessons. His generosity has exceeded that of a reporter and a concerned citizen.
As he digs deeper into Nathaniel’s past and begins exploring homelessness and poverty, he becomes an involuntary anthropologist in his approach to document his subject’s tendencies and behaviors in his habitat. Steve Lopez’s column eventually drew attention from the Mayor and receives an award for the impact of his narratives on the city and those suffering from mental illness. In the end, Steve’s help by being a friend and supports him however he could. Nathaniel greatly benefits from his friendship and resources provided to navigate in the world in spite of his challenges. Essentially, the movie portrays two soloists as they expose the fragile strings of life.