Jamie Foxx and a Ludwig Light Show

In our new book we offer an extensive section on Beethoven films, but did not include the recent The Soloist, starring Robert Downey as L.A. Times reporter Steve Lopez, who lent a hand to street musician Nathaniel Ayres,  played by Jamie Foxx.  It's not, strictly speaking, "about" Beethoven but Ayres is obsessed with him and most of the music in the movie comes from Beethoven (even the Heiliger Dankgesang).  The movie highlights Downey getting Jamie into a rehearsal for the L.A. Philharmonic, where he gets absorbed by the Eroica -- accompanied by a '60s-style light show.   Some critics were offended. See if you think it works, as viewed here.