Jamie Foxx is 'The Soloist'

Foxx's forthcoming musical biopic has 'Oscar win' written all over it

I hate to be cynical about this, but every Hollywood actor knows that playing a tortured musician is sure-fire way to get an Oscar nomination. From 'Lady Sings the Blues' to 'Coal Miner’s Daughter' to 'Walk the Line', tormented musical types equal a shot at Academy glory. And playing a musician with mental health problems is even better – just ask Geoffrey Rush, who won the best actor Oscar for his phenomenal portrayal of David Helfgott in 'Shine'.

Jamie Foxx has obviously noted this trend, and having already won the little gold statue for his performance as Ray Charles in 'Ray', it looks like he’s trying to go two for two, playing a musical prodigy who develops schizophrenia, in a forthcoming biopic.

'The Soloist' will tell the tale of Nathaniel Ayers, a brilliant violinist and cellist who developed mental health problems during his second year at the Julliard School of Music and ended up homeless performing on the streets of LA.

Susannah Grant ('Erin Brockovich') wrote the script, which is based on LA Times journalist Steve Lopez’s series of 2005 articles ‘From Skid Row to Disney Hall’. The surprising choice for director, meanwhile, is Joe Wright, whose recent work on 'Pride & Prejudice' and 'Atonement' doesn’t scream out ‘modern musical biopic’.

The critics will doubtless love it, however, so while Foxx is currently being taught stringed instruments by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, I suggest he also start working on his acceptance speech for that 2009 Oscar win.

---