The Soloist – a must see

I waited a long time to see The Soloist and it was worth he wait. I remember when I first saw the preview. My husband and I were in Seattle visiting friends and my parents. A trip to the movies is usually an obligatory thing with my parents, something I love to do. Going to the movie theater was a big part of my family life growing up. The month was October and the preview was played because it was set to release in November, in time to be part of the Oscar award season. The trailer made me tear-up, and I knew it was a must-see. But then it just disappeared.

Five months later, in the lull before summer, and a just before the major launches of Wolverine, Star Trek and Angels & Demons, The Soloist opened last weekend. The timing couldn’t be worse. And it is unfortunate, because this one is Oscar worthy. The performance by Jamie Foxx alone, should guarantee at least one Oscar attributed to this movie. It was a difficult role, but one he nailed, and in fact performed with respect. Robert Downey Jr. was exceptional as well, he keeps getting better and better. [P.S. Dear Hollywood - can we see him is dramatic romance soon, please?]

The movie is based on the true story of Steve Lopez, a reporter for the L.A. times and his interaction with a homeless, schizophrenic street musician. It is a story about friendship. It is story about one person making the difference in another person’s life. It does not try to solve the issues, but rather encourage the path of small victories.

And that is exactly what Julie at Tangobaby is doing with Kelaya, a mother of three small children and victim of domestic violence, who currently finds herself homeless. As I wrote about last week, Julie, a blogger, didn’t keep on walking by when she saw Kelaya, she turned around and didn’t just give money, she engaged with Kelaya and asked her story and decided to help.

She could have just given the money and walked away, but she did more than that. She came home and wrote about it and did an outreach, and people answered. People like me and people like my readers. Julie emailed me over the weekend to thank me because she had received donations and emails from some of my readers. And for that I am so thankful. Thankful that I have the type of readers who would take the time to give a little, that would take the time to write Kelaya an email to know she is not alone. I am proud of you guys!

If you want to read the full story about Julie and what she is doing as one person to change the life of one other, go here:

• Day 1
• Follow-up 1
• Follow-up 2
• Follow-up 3

It’s not too late to donate if you want, just go to Tangobaby and look for the donation button in the side-nav.

P.S. This post covers two 31DBBB assignments. Day 19 on writing an opinion post, something I do all the time! And Day 22 which is to “make a reader famous.” I think that my post from a few days ago, plus today’s does the job, although, of course that was not the intent! I also nominated Julie for the NICE Person of the Week over at Melissa’s Operation Nice site. Every week she gives an award to nice people, and I certainly think Julie qualifies!

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