The Soloist Premiere: Foxx, Downey, Halle Berry & More (PHOTOS)

The long-awaited "The Soloist" had its premiere in Los Angeles on Monday night. The love was rampant among costars Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr, Catherine Keener and other guests as they walked the red carpet and hit up the after party. Halle Berry turned out as well (and wore flip flops - vote on if you like them over at the Style page).

The movie, based on a true story, tells the story of a journalist who strikes up an unlikely friendship with a homeless musician and it opens Friday.

PHOTOS:

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Jamie Foxx and costar Robert Downey, Jr.

Comments

[yakaria]

Downey has his Tony Stark beard on...oooh I can't wait! Anyways, this movie looks good.

[ObiW]

Jenna Malone is starting to look normal . . . again! At one point, she hacked her own hair into a Mohawk and it was hideous. Now, it's cut short with a new colour. It looks cute on her, but I hope never to see that horrible haircut again!

[Dannydel]

Foxx is such an intelligent guy and a fine actor. Why then did he use his show to disparage a teenage singer? Was it because she is white? Who knows. I think it shows that the smiling, charming image he tries to sell on talk shows, is a sham. Like Martin Lawrence or Isaiah Washington or Spike Lee, he seems to be a successful black actor with some deep rooted anger issues. Too bad.

[nippyfan]

It may be because he wishes he WAS a female teenage singer. Skeletons.

[ObiW]

That was all press! Keeping himself & his show in the news. If they're not talking about you, you're dead. This is one way to get into the press. Look at us, are we not talking about this? However, he did apologize to her. But Billy Ray wanted to kick his ass on another show when they asked him about Foxx's comment.

[dreamseeker9837]

ToniaB you are so right. i'm not a huge fan of his but there is absolutely no way in h*llyou can compare his singing gifts with Eddie Murphy. The man is multi-talented - sings, dances, acts, composes, he's a comic and he's hilarious! give him credit! he really is blessed with many amazing talents and his songs and collaborations sell extremely well. don't be stupid!

[OhComeOnNow]

Sure hope Foxx kept his pottyymouth shut this time.

[stagebandman]

Why is there so much about how good a singer Foxx is? He's not a singer. He just got a big head for music when he did "Ray". Then he did some singing and playing (yeah, he's a real pianist - hah!) on TV and got a recording deal. It's called cashing in. You put his stuff up against a thousand other unknowns and you'll never pick him out, unless you listen for the one most out of tune. Come on, people. Jamie Foxx is an actor. He's not even a comedian anymore (much as he'd like to use that for an excuse for saying stupid things). And he's got a MASSIVE ego. He's not a singer - period.

Remember Eddie Murphy's album?

[ToniaB]

Stage-band-man: FYI... Jamie Fox got his "big head for music" as you called it BEFORE he broke into acting! He started playing the piano at age 5 at his grandmother's insistence; he was a part time pianist and chior lead at his local church in Terrell Texas while doing local gigs; and during high school he sang in a local band called leather and lace. After high school he received a scholarship to the United States International University where he studied classical music and composition. You have to "know" how to sing in order to do an oscar worthy impersonation of a legendary singer such as Ray Charles; so your assesment of his extraodinary talent is foolish! PERIOD! I am not always a fan of what Jamie Foxx says and does, but maybe you should have done a little more research about his accomplishments before you attempted to throw him under the bus where his music abilities are concerned.

[LWilkinson315]

Foxx is VERY talented...the first time I saw him play the piano my jaw dropped! I dont think he is the "greatest" singer BUT he soulful voice is one to be admired- he has a old school type of voice in a new school genre of music

[Netkat]

Good reply! I learned a lot myself.

[InfosolutionWiz]

Somebody Please get me up to speed!! WHAT DID FOXX SAY ABOUT the lovely Miley Cyrus??

[ToniaB]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/1/20090419/ten-billy-ray-cyrus-slams-foxx-over-mile-c60bd6d.html

[zukervati]

Fox wins the Oscar, again. You can bet your paycheck on that.

[kurtlockwood]

I was gonna see this til Foxxx said all that crap about Miley (who I don't even care much for) but it was so out of line that it soured me on this. I predict solid opening weekend with a huge drop off after that. It'll probably break even with international box office and dvd but his big mouth really hurt this for domestic sales imho.

[seachild]

i doubt it...highly!

[ToniaB]

Jamie Foxx's fans are not fans of Miley Cirus. As offensive as his comments were; I seriously doubt that it will affect the sales of this highly anticipated movie! Controversy sells! Ask the Dixie Chicks!

[LWilkinson315]

LOL Even Robert Downey Jr fans are not Miley Cirus fans! This is such a non controvery...either way you put it 15 year old girls were not planning on flocking to see this movie...and the folks screaming they are not going to see this film because of Foxx's comments probably do not know the first thing about classicl music! they think cello is new flavor of jello

[genia]

I have always like Jamie Foxx....but for me personally ...sometimes things happen in life that.....in just that moment something is said or done.... changes what you think or..how you feel about someone.
For me this was that sort of moment.
I don't dislike him....I just..lost all respect for him.

Grown man with a teenage daughter....taking off on a teenager who's guilty of nothing but being perky....it was ...I just didn't expect that from him.
Can't un ring that bell

[OhComeOnNow]

I am boycotting all FOXX's future works.

[ToniaB]

OMG!!! This is sure to bankrupt him!

[nippyfan]

Did you do the same to Michael RIchards?

[TLaw]

Halle looks old and pale. I see she's still sporting the beautiful kinky curls with stringy extensions attached.....

And that dude Nathaniel Ayers reminds me of an old American actor. I want to say someone from the little rascals. The name of the actor escapes me.... Spanky? Buckwheat??

[seachild]

escapes us as well

[TLaw]

I hope you didn't think that I was being crass.

Any road, the actor's name is/was Matthew 'Stymie' Beard. He had a bit part in the Little Rascals and Sanford and son.

[Jakesmom]

Before everyone jumps on the bandwagon to condemn Foxx for his really stupid comments, please remember that this movie is about Nathaniel Ayers and his relationship with Steve Lopez; it's not about Jamie Foxx. If his talent shines, so be it. I would guess you're doing the subject matter, the relationship between Lopez and Ayers, a disservice by dismissing the movie because of Foxx.

Regarding Foxx, to read more about what he went through in preparingfor this role, you can go to the L.A. Times website for an article in their Sunday Calendar section, ( copy and paste link into browser)

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-foxx19-2009apr19,0,4328956.story

Also - regarding Miley Cyrus - she is talented, and obviously Foxx was wrong to make such comments. I don't understand the hoopla over her, though.

[Mattie]

If you see the movie you are supporting Foxx, and his disgusting comments and I don't think supported someone who demeans young women is appropriate.

[TchoupitoulasCanal]

So I'm guessing that you also boycotted films by Mel Gibson and stopped watching Seinfeld and Dog the Bounty Hunter as well, right? Because if we're going to go after someone for their 'disgusting' comments, then we need to broaden our net and not villify one man to make us feel better for one day.

[OhComeOnNow]

Dang, bet Ayers and Lopez wish someone else had been cast now.

[Talulazoeapple]

You wish . Luckily you are powerless. I will be seeing The Soloist and its all thanks to you. LOL

[24kgold]

Jamie is a very talented singer and actor........... Very good true story about a talented man suffering from mental illness. Going to see it this weekend.

[genia]

Downey is one of my top three favorite actors...... Going to see it, no doubt.
The man....is fine...fine actor

[oceanlover]

Robert Downey is one of the most gifted actors, ever. Full stop. This movie lover can't get enough of his acting. I simply adore his new wife to boot! She's just what he needed. A bright, beautiful, doting woman with her head screwed on firmly. Susan, thank you for being there for him! Now he can just get on with it!!! (Acting that is!) More please...

[AfroLatina21]

I'm still angry at Jamie Foxx and his comments about Miley Cyrus but I won't take t out on this film.

I saw the real story about the main character Jamie plays on 60 minutes a couple of weeks ago. It's such a lovely story, it had me crying. It's about a guy who was very smart and had many scloarships to the top schools in the nation because he had a gift of music, he was considered a cello prodigy. He had Schizophrenia and became homeless. It's such as sad story but in the end he does have a little happiness.

[AlligatorShuz]

He should have called Miley more than what he said... Well, Miley is a marginally talented person who was created by Disney... That is no lie. Let's see where Miley will be in ten years..... Jamie Foxx has been around for over twenty years. Lets see how much staying power she has....

[stagebandman]

Look I do not like Miley Cyrus, but your comment could not be more ignorant. Her character was created by Disney, but she really sings, so your point is moot. As for Jamie Foxx, he's been very lucky, and has picked a few good roles that have really boosted his career. But he would not be anywhere had it not been for the Wayans, so I guess you must think they "created" him.

[genia]

This has nothing...nothing to do with staying power..
This isn't about who is bigger or better.