The Soloist Is A Film Based Upon The True Story Of...

The Soloist is a film based upon the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a Juilliard musical prodigy who has schizophrenia, and Steve Lopez a journalist for the Los Angeles Times, who befriended the (then) homeless Ayers when he was living on the streets of LA. Schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves; those who suffer from schizophrenia may seem like they have lost touch with reality. The symptoms of schizophrenia fall into two categories: positive and negative. People with â€Å"positive† symptoms may â€Å"lose touch† with some aspects of reality, and those with â€Å"negative† symptoms are associated with disruptions to normal emotions and behaviors. The movie presents a realistic portrait of schizophrenia and the associated problems of homelessness. It also uses a significant number of the mentally ill homeless population of Los Angeles as extras, which seems to give the film a greater authenticity . Most of Ayer’s schizophrenic symptoms were actually quite typical for this disorder. Ayer’s experiences auditory hallucinations, disorganized speech, a blunted affect and negative symptoms such as social withdrawal and anhedonia, all of which are clearly present for greater than six months. In Nathaniel s introductory scene there is already some evidence his schizophrenia. When asked by Steve if he likes Stevie Wonder (which is written on his visor and shirt), Nathaniel begins to express tangential thoughts with rapid speechShow MoreRelatedEssay on Film Analysis: Beautiful Mind1418 Words   |  6 Pagesadequate contribution of the family members (A beautiful Mind). The Soloist on its part is a film that is based upon the true story of Nathaniel Ayers, a musician who suffers from schizophrenia and Steve Lopez, journalist for the Los Angeles Times, who befriended Ayers amid concerns of the severe and debilitating signs and symptoms associated with the mental condition (The Soloist). With its concept based in real life story, this film provides a remarkable opportunity to review the significant issues