Based on the book by Los Angeles Times columnist Steve Lopez, Robert Downey Jr. plays a divorced newspaper journalist who discovers homeless musical prodigy Nathaniel Ayers (well played by Jamie Foxx) and takes responsibility for helping the mentally disturbed musician while writing a series of politically-charged stories.
Newbie screenwriter Susannah Grant fails to create an engaging arc for her adaptation, and punctuates the drama with distracting touches of inappropriate genre clichés.
Note to screenwriters, spilling urine, raccoon or otherwise, on your protagonist doesn't engender character development or empathy.
As Lopez struggles with getting the irascibly schizophrenic Mr. Ayers into housing where he can play his freshly gifted cello, the need for maintained psychiatric care becomes more obvious.
Heartfelt performances from Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx can't counteract a lack of narrative focus that prevents the film from taking hold.
Rated PG-13. 105 mins.
