The cellist

Rating: 7/10 (27 December 2009)

A Los Angeles newspaper columnist, Steve Lopez, hears a homeless man play a violin that only has two strings. Mr. Lopez is intrigued by the man that is attempting to play with such an instrument. The street person is asked about some names painted on a tree, the reporter is impressed to learn those were Julliard fellow students. If Steve is correct, this man, Nathaniel Ayers, has been formally trained in the New York's most prestigious music school. His curiosity makes him check out to see if there is any truth in what Ayers had told him. To his amazement, he learns that yes, Mr. Ayers had gone to Julliard, but didn't graduate as a cellist, not as a violinist.
The lives of these two men become intertwined in ways neither one expected. Steve Lopez decided to help get Ayers on his feet again, something the homeless man didn't know how to deal with because his mental condition. However much Steve Lopez tried to aid Ayers, he always got a negative reaction from this man whose evident schizophrenia doesn't let them deal with reality.
In flashbacks we get to know the progression of Nathaniel Ayers' mental disorder as he goes from a talented young cello player, to being granted admission in Julliard. From a somewhat poor environment, Mr. Ayers arrives in New York, a big and cold place, to make a life for himself while receiving a musical education. Something in his mind didn't quite respond to the emotions he was feeling. The result was a total breakdown for Nathaniel, who resorted to a life on the streets. It is not made clear how did he end up in Los Angeles, a cruel place where some 90,000 homeless men and women live in squalor.
This was a film with impressive credentials. Joe Wright directed "Atonement" and "Pride and Prejudice", so we were looking forward to his new work. The film was co-written by Steve Lopez and Susannah Grant, of "In Her Shoes", and "Erin Brokovich" fame. Naturally, our high hopes didn't quite pay off because the tragic figure of Nathaniel Ayers plight doesn't involve us the way he should.
Basically, and this is something we noticed when we saw the trailers, Jamie Foxx's characterization of the mentally disturbed Nathaniel Ayers leaves us cold. Granted, the actor has to receive direction in order to bring out his character, but one never feels Mr. Foxx is that man, but an actor impersonating that tragic disoriented individual. On the other hand, the main reason for watching the film is Robert Downey Jr., one of our best actors working in movies these days. Mr. Downey Jr. captures the essence of Steve Lopez convincingly. There was no chemistry between the actors.
The excellent Catherine Keener, always a welcome presence in any movie, shows up as a Los Angeles Times editor, Mary Weston, who was Steve's former wife. Tom Hollander is also seen as a musical instructor trying to help Nathaniel. Lisa Gay Hamilton also has a small part.