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.

It’s Complicated for Better or for Worse

It’s complicated describes many modern relationships and relationship status on social network sites. The movie made it on my list because of its main female character, Meryl Streep. She is a versatile actress who has portrayed several intriguing characters including Julie & Julia and Doubt, to name a few. On the other hand, I was skeptical this would be another movie about a lonely woman grieving over a failed relationship or obsessing about getting married or being unhappy in her current relationship. Movies are so formulaic when it comes to male female relationships. Labeling them predictable is an under statement. It’s complicated took a page from Something Gotta Give and That Old Feeling by exploring the complexities of moving forward for a divorced female empty nester. Stereotypically, the women always seem to linger over their domestic and caretaker roles as mother and wife while the male character seem to easily move on to the next relationship with a younger woman. After the kids are grown up, graduated from school and moved out of the house, there is a sudden appreciation for the contributions his ex wife has made in raising independent children. Fast forward in movie land fantasy, the ex-husband played by Alec Baldwin (Jake) and ex-wife sleep together after a night of drinking and dancing in New York. Days later, Jake returned declaring his undying love for Jane and claiming, “no one has to know” since life is short. In other words, just enjoy the moment and don’t worry about the consequences. Inexplicably, the sex is sexier according to the ex husband.
After two so called “French like” encounters, all the previous marital issues have been resolved. Imagine that! For her, she has a lot of energy and bakes pies for her girlfriends. Is this revenge of the ex-wife after 10 years? Is this the most liberating way to lose control? Better yet, is this the perfect pay back for the other woman, formerly wife? To complicate matters, Jane starts a relationship with a charming yet talented architect (Steve Martin) who’s building her dream addition with the kitchen she always wanted. Given the fact that she already has a great kitchen in her main house with the amenities she will have in the addition, I don’t see the relevance. I digress. Her boost of energy continues as she bakes pies, prepares home made ice cream when she can’t sleep and cooks gourmet meals she learned while in Paris during her 20’s. All of this from an affair with an ex-husband who becomes the lover/man he couldn’t be when they were married. Her therapist already sees a difference in her openness and shares that she may be learning to see the world in a different way. All of a sudden, she’s rearranging her schedule around him to sneak around in hotels and cooking for him for a date night until reality and old habits start creeping back. Jane is disappointed and must reflect on the true motive of her affair with Jake. Although it appears they have reignited their passion for one another, it is not simple to pick up where they left off. In the end, it remains complicated for Jane and Jake with somewhat of a happy ending. In movie land, you never know what may happen. People tend to repeat history and their mistakes in the process of life changing experiences. I suppose that’s what makes the movie relateable with a touch of humor and whimsy.