The Soloist

Christa and I have a membership for Netflix. Living in Oakfield, this has actually worked out well because we are at least 15-20 minutes from a rental place. The mail service also works remarkably fast here, so we get movies pretty quickly.

We watched The Soloist last night. Christa and I both look for different things in movies. Generally, we see to eye to eye on our ratings. Netflix gives you the option to rate the movie on a five star system. I think we have a system down. Let's put it this way:

* = Nothing redeeming. This movie is just absolutely awful. (We jhave yet to give a move this)
** = May be a glimmer of hope, but pretty bad.
*** = Average, entertaining movie.
**** = This was a very good movie with a lot of good qualities.
***** = Nearly flawless. This movie kept our attention. We'd want to see it again and again.

I find now that, as a pastor, I can't help but view movies from a religious and theological perspective. For instance, a movie like Knowing (***) took on whole different meaning when you think about it theologically. Same with Seven Pounds (****).

Today, however, let's focus on The Soloist. I do recommend the film and there's a few things I'd like you ponder as you watch:

• Check out the portrayal of the cello player, Graham Claydon (played by TomHollander), as a Christian.
• There is a moment when Nathaniel Ayers (played by Jamie Foxx) says that Steve Lopez (played by Robert Downey, Jr.) is God. As you learn about their relationship, it is an interesting point of discussion.
• There is an overall message in the movie about what one person is capable of doing to make a difference in the world. With its focus on the homeless in Los Angeles, you can't help but be moved and saddened.

The overall story is that Lopez is researching stories for the LA Times. He finds Ayers who was a Julliard dropout suffering from schizophrenia. Ayers is homeless and estranged from his family. Lopez works with Ayers to get back his gift for playing the cello. I'll leave the rest for you to find out. Let me know what you think of the movie.