From NetFlix:

This true-life drama tells the poignant tale of Los Angeles newspaper reporter Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr.), who discovers brilliant street musician Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx), and the unique friendship that transforms both their lives. In helping his new friend deal with his demons, Steve ends up battling with his own. Joe Wright directs this inspiring drama based on the bestselling book by the real Lopez.

In my opinion Jamie Foxx carries this well-acted enactment of a true story. The film isn’t perfect and barely escapes being maudlin at times, especially when Robert Downey Jr. sometime seems too precious (or am I harsh ?). But if you think this is a Disney film in which the musician finally presents a redeeming recital, think again. One saving feature of the film is the suspense revolving around whatever will happen next. In fact some of the unpredictable solutions that the reporter devises just made me laugh out loud. I find it an irony that in real life Robert Downey himself has suffered much from drug abuse.

Some things did not feel right. Towards the end of the film the musician apologies to the reporter in a speech that was too coherent, too calm, too controlled for the wildly paranoid schizophrenic. I mistakenly assumed that the musician had accepted his illness and was taking his meds.

Catherine Keener doesn’t seem to get much credit in reviews. But I thought she provided important glue in the plot. She sometimes hit the nail on the head, such as telling the reporter that in a certain manner he was using the musician as a way to write a book and get attention. Ouch!

Pay attention to the final, barely readable, screen text that talks about the aftermath. Note that Los Angeles is the capital of homelessness with more than 90,000 homeless people. If any of the Los Angeles scenes are anywhere near accurate, I would not step foot in the city.

Wife Kathy started to watch, decided she would instead go to bed, but continued to watch and finally said “What a good film”. Now that, folks, is a real recommendation.