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Movie Review: Goodbye Solo Alternate Title: The Odd Couple
Story: You know that fable about
the boy and the pony? It goes something like this - Worried that their
son was too optimistic, the parents of a little boy took him to a psychiatrist.
Trying to dampen the boy’s spirits, the psychiatrist showed him
into a room piled high with nothing but horse manure. Instead of displaying
distaste, the little boy climbed to the top of the pile, dropped to
all fours, and began digging. 'What do you think you’re doing?'
the psychiatrist asked. 'With all this manure,' the little boy replied,
beaming, 'there must be a pony in here somewhere'. The main character
in director and writer Ramin Bahrani's
third film is that little boy - all grown up. It is now, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina,
where we meet the glowing Solo, a Senegalese immigrant who drives a
taxi (mostly at night), is studying to be a flight attendant, has a
very pregnant Mexican wife and an adorable step daughter, Alex. Life
is hard, but filled with possibilities. William, a forlorn, 70 something
codger, sits in Solo's taxi and offers him a deal. For $1000, he needs
a driver to take him, in two week's time, on a one way trip, to a peak
called Blowing Rock. Solo quickly assumes that William intends to end
his life at that time. The balance of the film is the story of Solo,
William, little Alex, life, family, responsibility, loneliness, abandonment,
remorse and hope. This film is a slow moving character study and I found
myself more interested in these people than I thought I would be. It
is melancholy, sad and hopeful all at the same time. I am, still thinking
about these people. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5IGC59Q9y8 Acting: Souleymane Sy Savane as Solo, is absolutely
mesmerizing. Bravo. Red West as William, was also perfect.
Diana Franco Galindo as little Alex, is a scene stealer. Trivia: Director Ramin Bahrani, born in 1975 in Winston-Salem,
North Carolina, is an Iranian-American screenwriter and filmmaker. His
other films are Man Push Cart, Chop Shop and Strangers. Robert "Red"
Gene West was known as a close friend of Elvis Presley and a member
of the Memphis Mafia. He first met Elvis in high school where he was
a year behind him. After Elvis' discharge from the U.S. Army in 1960,
West was employed as one of Elvis' bodyguards. Over the years, Elvis
bought West a number of vehicles as he became a world-famous celebrity.
West also became a movie stuntman and appeared in 16 Elvis Presley movies
in the 1960's. On July 13 1976, Vernon Presley, Elvis' father, fired
West, Sonny West and Hebler from Elvis's employ after criticizing their
heavy-handed tactics. The three of them collaborated on a book of their
lives as Elvis's bodyguards which was published just two weeks before
Elvis's death in 1977.
Predilection: None
Critters: Birds
Opening Titles: The film opens in mid-sentence. All
titles are at the end.
Visual Art: The film almost has a documentary feel
to it and takes place mostly at night.
Theater Audience: About 10 other people and us.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: Blowing Rock was scary.
Drift Factor: I stayed with the film despite it's
slowness.
Predictability Level: Moderate
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Hmm
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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