Watch The Soloist

The Soloist is based on the true story of a prodigy and schizophrenic musician who has become homeless. Actually written by Los Angeles Times journalists Steve Lopez and Susanna Grant, it tells the story of the life of Nathaniel Ares Jr. of Los Angeles. Showing off the acting skills of Jamie Foxx (Oscar and Golden Globe winner) and Robert Downey Jr. (Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner) the story explores the lives of the homeless and controversial schizophrenic medication with the actual focus on the life of Nathaniel Ares Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. plays Steve Lopez, a writer for the Los Angeles Times who encounters Nathaniel on the street following an accident he has had with his bicycle which hospitalized him. Nathaniel is a homeless musician who plays the violin with obvious skill, despite the fact that it only has two strings. Lopez learns that Nathaniel has actually been a student at Juilliard and that that his biggest desire is to have the additional strings to complete his instrument. The journalist becomes inspired to write a story about him and his wish in the paper. The story is read by an elderly musician with severe arthritis, whose illness prevents her from playing her cello and she is inspired to donate it to the subject of the story.

The second half of the story begins with Nathaniel going to the dress rehearsal of a concert. For some reason he feels unable to go the the actual show because he will stick out. We see him being inspired by the colors and love of the music. We see his potential and probably want him to be in a healthier place. Fortunately, he is somehow offered a place to rehearse in and live in if he can relinquish his familiar surroundings and find out that he is doing fairly well to this day.