A Drama for the modern mind- The Soloist

Rating: 8/10 (6 June 2014)

The Soloist is the real life story of Los Angeles Times journalist Steve Lopez and his friendship with the homeless, mentally unstable yet exceptionally talented musician Mr. Nathaniel Ayers. Steve Lopez covers the story of how a Jilliard dropout with such exceptional music gifts ended out on the streets and while covering the story, Lopez, played by Robert Downey Jr., develops a special bond with the musician, Nathaniel, played by Jamie Foxx.
The movie shows the tragic, disease-ridden and crime –afflicted world of Los Angeles streets. It shows how this world has been completely abandoned by the authorities, by the hospitals who do not care about the sick, the police who do not care about the well-being of the homeless and also by the work-oriented populace of the city who do not stop even for a second to listen to the talented musician playing Beethoven on the street.
The story presents a view point of how people need to move away from the socially accepted strands of "normalcy". The movie says that one need not always think about how to "cure" a mentally challenged person but instead should just accept them for who they are and be their friends. Friendship with the journalist actually helps Nathaniel while his every step to try and fit him according to the socially accepted behavior goes in vain, to say the least.
The film also deals with the power of friendship and how it has the power to make each one of us into better human beings.
This is a movie for the modern mind. It definitely changes one's idea of how to deal with a mentally challenged person. Beethoven's symphonies played in the movie are delightful to listen to. The film definitely has the power to make one a better person.
So, I recommend everyone to watch this film.