The trailer for The Soloist — based on a true story about some sort of viola prodigy (Jamie Foxx) who ends up homeless, only to have a journalist (Robert Downey, Jr.) rediscover him and pull him off the street — has the same sort of schmaltzy, sentimental feel-good vibe as The Pursuit of Happyness and half of every holiday release over the last five years. And I fucking love those movies.
I mean, really: Who doesn’t wanna see a feel-good movie starring an actor that makes them feel good? I think I may just explode of happyness.
Posted by: anikitty at September 11, 2008 11:56 AM
Obviously an Oscar Grab...I mean they're capitalizing on Harry Potter not being released, which seriously would have wiped the mat with any other film in its Oscarness. (/sarcasm)
That having been said, all I needed to see was Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., and the director of Atonement to put my ass in a seat. The rest is eye misting gravy.
(Oh, and speaking of Oscar Grab, Dark Knight Rerelease in January. Believe it, baby!)
ugh. Cannot fucking DEAL with Foxx and his monstrous bullshit anymore. When Colin Farrell thinks you need to chill, you got serious problems.
Posted by: firedmyass at September 11, 2008 12:15 PM
Agreed, firedmyass. Jamie Foxx is an asshole who thinks he has street cred just because he has a tribal tat on the back of his head. Oh, and those two bumps on his chest? Those aren't pecs, they're TITS. Get a bro/mansiere already.
Jamie Foxx is gheyer than two unicorns wearing rainbow necklaces whilst racing through a paddy of four-leaf clovers.
Posted by: NotBlonde at September 11, 2008 12:32 PM
"the Pursuit of happyness" was directed by one of the most overrated and shittiest italian director of the last few years, the guy has his actor yell their lines before shooting so they will sound "more real" ad make them rush through like so much they make lorelai gilmore sound like matthew mcconaughey. Joe Wright is a good director, atonement was freaking great considering how hard it was to pull it off. so I have more faith in this movie.
sorry but seriously people italy has good director, really,look at what went to cannes last may. and please stay the hell away from gabriele muccino.
Posted by: rio at September 11, 2008 12:45 PM
RDJ can do no wrong. (at least nowadays)
Posted by: Cindy at September 11, 2008 12:55 PM
also, for christ' sake, robert downey jr. is in it, he managed to make watchable ally mcbeal when it was already gone poop. Im not even worried about those scientist reproducing the big bang, if it produce a black hole it wont be able to swallow robert downey jr. who, in fact, will eat the freaking black hole like a motherfucking burrito and just save our asses.
not a big deal.
Posted by: rio at September 11, 2008 12:57 PM
i love me some robert downey junior, however, jamie foxx being in this is enough to make me avoid it. they couldn't have gotten a brilliant unknown instead? sigh.
Posted by: gem at September 11, 2008 1:09 PM
If he's a viola prodigy, why is he mostly shown playing cello? I thought the whole "you're sexy if you play cello" thing only applied to women?
Posted by: peachfish at September 11, 2008 1:41 PM
Aw, man. Nothing good will ever come of a billing block like:
"From the director of Atonement... and Pride and Prejudice"
followed by:
"Comes a true story".
That is a recipe for a weepy cheesefest. Why, Downey? You're better than this.
Posted by: Lannie at September 11, 2008 3:00 PM
Looks like Foxx is going full retard. Shouldn't be too much of a stretch for him.
Posted by: Rubble44 at September 11, 2008 3:20 PM
Oh but I just saw RDJ in Wonder Boys (again) last night and he is so awesome! Might be forced to see this despite Jamie "I'm a great musician" Foxx.
Posted by: Anne (in Reno) at September 11, 2008 3:24 PM
You never go full retard, man!
Posted by: Kevin Longrie at September 11, 2008 3:57 PM
I have to amend Cindy's comment and say that RDJ can do no wrong to my vagooter and the surrounding areas, including but not limited to, my booty, lower back, boobies, toes, backs of knees, inside of elbows, mouth, neck and earlobes.
Carry on.
Posted by: Mella at September 11, 2008 4:39 PM
I think I heard an interview on NPR with the journalist in this story. If the movie stays true to the story, it will have potential. Of course, I'll see it for RDJ, alone.
Posted by: rlr260 at September 11, 2008 5:11 PM
That's a cello.
It's thanks to movies like this that there aren't any good movies about musicians anymore. Or ever? I guess The Pianist was kind of about music.
Posted by: Harlequin at September 11, 2008 11:32 PM
Don't be too sure this will be schmaltz; I got a peek at some coverage and it read well.
I, for one, am looking forward to a film that is NOT "the feel good movie of the year."
So, I may or may not have already teared up at the preview. I'm going to be in that seat for sure.
I can take or leave El Foxx (does he ever feel stupid that he chose the last name "Foxx" as a comedian and now has to pull it off whilst trying to be a serious actor?).
Not just because of my raging and oft times...violent love for Downey Jr, but because my absolute favourite piece of music, JS Bach's Prelude from The Unaccompanied Cello( I'm not a musical snob I just really love it) is clearly all over this and I....I mean watching that advert, two incredible actors and wonderful music?
The only thing missing is Ryan Reynolds abs...