Writing Screenplays, Satire and Novels

I saw “The Soloist” recently: excellent film. The writing by Suzanna Baldwin explored the friendship that developed from columnist Lopez curious about discovering a Julliard-trained musician, homeless on the streets of L.A. Lopez exploited the situation by writing about Avery, the musician, in the Times. And, while the film is well acted, filmed and edited, it is the concept of friendship verses exploitation that resonates. The depiction of mental illness is fully explored without being maudlin. Some problems worth discussing are evident: what about all of the homeless that do not have an extraordinary talent? What about the fact that the film itself puts a spotlight on a man terrified by the people around him and the attention paid to him. Like any depiction, unless skillfully done, the depiction itself becomes exploitative. In this case, Baldwin, the director and the cast were up to the task.

We are starting a list of movies we have seen and like. Feel free to join in and add your favorites as well.