The Soloist

  • 2009
  • PG-13
  • 109m
movieMx RATING
6.7/10802
VERDICT
HIT
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Performance & Direction: The Soloist Review

Last updated: January 27, 2026

movieMx Editorial Team
REVIEWED BY

movieMx Editorial Team

🔍 Cinematic Analysis Expert

Leading cinematic analysis expert with over 10 years of experience in Bollywood and Hollywood box office tracking. Reviewed 500+ films with a focus on narrative structure and commercial profitability.

📅 Updated: January 27, 2026 🎟️ Verified Viewing

🎬 Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?

Is The Soloist (2009) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 6.7/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Soloist features a noteworthy lineup led by Robert Downey Jr. . Supported by the likes of Jamie Foxx and Catherine Keener , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of The Soloist (2009) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 6.7/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Result: HIT
Based on verified audience sentiment and box office trajectory, The Soloist stands as a HIT.

Story & Plot Summary: The Soloist

Quick Plot Summary: The Soloist is a Drama, Music film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Story Breakdown

This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. A Los Angeles journalist befriends a homeless Juilliard-trained musician, while looking for a new article for the paper. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.

Narrative Structure

  • Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
  • Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
  • Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.

Ending Explained: The Soloist

Ending Breakdown: The Soloist concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.

The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of The Soloist reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch The Soloist?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want a character-driven story with emotional moments

Box Office Collection: The Soloist

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $60.0M
Worldwide Gross $38.3M
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

The Soloist Budget

The estimated production budget for The Soloist is $60.0M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Top Cast: The Soloist

All Cast & Crew →
Jamie Foxx
Jamie FoxxNathaniel Ayers
Catherine Keener
Catherine KeenerMary Weston
Tom Hollander
Tom HollanderGraham Claydon
Nelsan Ellis
Nelsan EllisDavid Carter
Michael Bunin
Michael BuninAdam Crane
LisaGay Hamilton
LisaGay HamiltonJennifer Ayers
Rachael Harris
Rachael HarrisLeslie Bloom
Stephen Root
Stephen RootCurt Reynolds
Jena Malone
Jena MaloneCheery Lab Tech
Octavia Spencer
Octavia SpencerTroubled Woman
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Where to Watch The Soloist Online?

Streaming Hub

🎟️ Rent on

Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube
Amazon VideoAmazon Video

🏷️ Buy on

Apple TV StoreApple TV Store
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YouTubeYouTube

The Soloist Parents Guide & Age Rating

2009 Advisory
PG-13

Official Age Rating

Wondering about The Soloist age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:

The Soloist is rated PG-13. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

⏱️ Runtime & Duration

The total runtime of The Soloist is 109 minutes (1h 49m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.

Verdict Summary

Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 6.7/10, and global performance metrics, The Soloist is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 2009 cinematic calendar.

HIT
Official movieMx status for The Soloist. Rating: 6.7/10

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Soloist worth watching?

The Soloist is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 6.7/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.

Where can I find The Soloist parents guide and age rating?

The official parents guide for The Soloist identifies it as PG-13. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.

What is the total runtime of The Soloist?

The total duration of The Soloist is 109 minutes, which is approximately 1h 49m long.

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How The Soloist Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for The Soloist

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movieMx Verified

This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.7
The Soloist
<a href="https://moviemx.in/review/the-soloist-17332" target="_blank" style="text-decoration:none;"><div style="background:#121212;border:1px solid #f5c518;border-radius:12px;padding:15px;width:180px;text-align:center;font-family:sans-serif;box-shadow:0 10px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.3);"><div style="color:#f5c518;font-size:10px;font-weight:900;letter-spacing:2px;">MOVIEMX</div><div style="color:white;font-size:28px;font-weight:900;margin:8px 0;">★ 6.7</div><div style="color:#888;font-size:12px;font-weight:500;">The Soloist</div></div></a>

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