Don't go to this one solo, you'll need someone's hand to hold, as this is an extremely moving tale with tremendous turns by Foxx and Downey, Jr.

Rating: 9/10 (1 July 2009)

Steve Lopez (Robert Donwey, Jr.) is an ace writer for the Los Angeles Times. One day, as he is bicycling in the area, he falls harshly from his bike and ends up in the hospital. Despite a banged-up face, however, he's fine. Not long after, Steve observes a homeless man, Nathaniel (Jamie Foxx) playing a beautiful tune on a two-string violin. Striking up a conversation, Steve soon learns that Nathaniel once went to the prestigious Juilliard School of Music and studied the cello! How is it that the musician is on the streets? Actually, that's very apparent, for Nathaniel is obviously mentally challenged and most likely schizophrenic. Sensing a great column, Steve makes Nathaniel the subject of a future piece. After reading it, an area lady sends Nathaniel, via Steve's office, the cello she can no longer play, due to arthritis. But, Steve knows that it will be stolen if Nathaniel has it in his makeshift home so he makes a bargain with the musician. An area shelter will keep the instrument for him to play on the premises and maybe Nathaniel can consider living there, too? It works, at least for Nathaniel coming to practice the cello. Yet, as Steve gets further connected to Nathaniel as a human being, will he truly be able to make a difference in his life? Don't go to this one solo, my friends, as the tale is so moving and heart-wrenching that you will need a hand to hold. It tackles the subjects of homelessness, mental illness, poverty, music, and charity straightforward, with no sugar coating. As the two main characters, Downey, Jr. and especially Foxx are no less than brilliant and should garner some sort of nominations, if the academies have any sense. Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, and all of the other cast members are marvelous, too. The setting in Los Angeles is a mixture of the good, the bad, and the ugly and the costuming is wonderful, especially Foxx's unusual clothing items. All other production values are high as well. In brief, if you are a regular cinema attendee or rent/buy works for a home viewing, don't skip this one. It is a richly rewarding and supremely heartfelt film.