An emotional triumph

The artistic qualities that make Goodbye Solo, the story of Senegalese taxi driver Solo (Souléymane Sy Savané) and his unlikely friendship with seventy-year-old William (Red West), a fresh film with strong specialty film box office potential include a handsome and likable title character, a humanistic story and an engaging message of tolerance sure to appeal to arthouse moviegoers. This beautiful, perfectly constructed drama from director Ramin Bahrani, should do well with fans of Bahrani’s previous features Chop Shop and Man Push Cart, as well as audiences looking for serious fare about race, immigration and tolerance. Smart marketing that emphasizes Bahrani’s fresh filmmaking talent and promotes its story as in-sync with the themes of President Elect Barack Obama will help the film crossover to mainstream arthouse crowds.

Bahrani makes his third feature filmmaking effort with Goodbye Solo (He was born in Winston-Salem; where the story takes place). While the film lacks recognizable leads, Bahrani compensates with solid storytelling, strong performances and beautiful cinematography. For Bahrani, Goodbye Solo is strong proof of his status as a great independent talent. As the film’s editor, Bahrani maintains a fast pace from start to finish. Production Designer Chad Keith captures the gritty look of urban Winston-Salem as well as the natural beauty of the nearby mountains. The screenplay from Bahrani and Bahareh Azimi make the most of their everyday hero Solo, and Souléymane Sy Savané gives a standout performance as this working-class immigrant with strong beliefs and an even stronger zest for life. Goodbye Solo shows Savané as someone to watch, an actor capable of supporting any movie.

Red West, a member of Elvis Presley’s Memphis Mafia, is perfectly natural and grounded as William, a man convinced that his life is at an end.

Despite its themes about death and illness, Goodbye Solo is a youthful film in all the best ways, with lively characters, colorful backdrops and new faces. Its best scenes revolve around the time William and Solo spend in Solo’s cab, those moments when their friendship is just taking form.

Roadside Attractions opens Goodbye Solo in New York City in late March and plans a platform release throughout the spring. It’s a smart addition to their release schedule and if successful in theatres, its DVD and Home Video sales also look bright. Goodbye Solo is good enough and engaging enough to appeal to arthouse moviegoers unfamiliar with Bahrani’s previous films but anxious to witness new work from an emerging master

Distributor: Roadside Attractions
Cast: Souléymane Sy Savané and Red West
Director: Ramin Bahrani
Screenwriters: Bahareh Azimi and Ramin Bahrani
Producers: Jason Orans and Ramin Bahrani
Rating: Unrated
Running time: 91 min.
Release date: March 27 ltd.