Film Review: Goodbye Solo

By Fused Film Staff • May 20, 2009 • 1 Comment

On Friday, the critically acclaimed indie film Goodbye Solo debuted in Memphis. This film has received several awards at different film festivals and is cowritten, produced, edited, and directed by Ramin Bahrani. Bahrani also garnered critical acclaim for his two previous films, Man Push Cart and Chop Shop. Goodbye Solo is also the first lead role for veteran actor Red West.

Red West was a bodyguard for Elvis Presley and wrote some songs for him and wound up being a stuntman and later an actor. In the film, Red plays William, a sad and bitter old man who has cut himself off from his family and has given up on life. He gets a cab ride from Solo, an immigrant from Senegal now living in North Carolina. From there, a friendship is slowly made. Solo gives him his cell phone number so he can call him directly for cab rides. Solo helps him find a hotel, and William lets Solo stay in the hotel after a disagreement with his wife. Their bond seemed to be born out of frustration and dissatisfaction with their current situations.

Solo is tired of driving cabs, and William seems to be frustrated with life in general. Their friendship seems very natural in the film. William is a “grumpy old man” and a contrast to Solo’s energetic personality and fast-paced conversations in English and Senegalese. Over time, William begins to spend time with Solo’s daughter and they seem to genuinely enjoy each other’s company. However, William always seems to hold back from truly letting Solo in. Solo is always talkative and chipper, and William rarely reveals all of his feelings. It was interesting to see two characters from different walks of life and backgrounds find common interest and relate to each other. Red West is excellent as William, a bitter old man who really cares for Solo but rarely show it.

Soulemane Sy Savane‘s infectious smile and positive outlook as the Solo character make you invest in the character. His accent is a little thick, but over time you get past that and get into the story. Solo affectionately calls William “big dog” throughout the story, and it is humorous every time. We Solo’s wife and child and various other characters, but West and Savane carry the film, and I never got tired of watching them. At the Friday night screening, West said that Bahrani really pushed him to stay in character and got a better performance out of him than Francis Ford Coppola and other great directors that he has worked with.

I’m inclined to agree. Goodbye Solo is the touching story of an unlikely friendship that affects the lives of both men. It is one of the best performances in Red West’s long career, and will certainly be beneficial to the young careers of Bahrani and Savane. I recommend seeing this film if it comes to yout town or buying it on video like I plan to do.

Goodbye solo gets 8 out of 10.

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