62
Metascore
15 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75ObserverRex ReedObserverRex ReedIn a bravura performance that is the primary don't-miss reason for its existence, he (Carlyle) gives California Solo all he's got; even in scenes that just exist to pass the time, his presence informs the essence of the man he plays and the humanity of the film itself.
- 75Entertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumEntertainment WeeklyLisa SchwarzbaumThere's a lovely gravity and specificity to the story that transcends instances of bumpy filmmaking.
- 67The A.V. ClubNoel MurrayThe A.V. ClubNoel MurrayCalifornia Solo doesn't have much story. All of the details above are established in the first five minutes, then the movie becomes a character sketch, carried by its wealth of detail and a fantastic Carlyle performance.
- 63Slant MagazineSlant MagazineRobert Carlyle's performance compensates for the film's less successful elements and even makes you wonder if they might be strengths.
- The minor-key film benefits from Robert Carlyle's soulful performance in the central role, bouncing back and forth between dulled resignation and self-destructive anger.
- 60Time OutTime OutMarshall Lewy's film functions largely as a delivery system for Carlyle's performance. Luckily, Carlyle's tough, tender turn is strong enough to carry the load.
- 60New York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanNew York Daily NewsElizabeth WeitzmanFans can be forgiven for offering this predictable indie some excess generosity, simply because writer-director Marshall Lewy had the good sense to build a movie around such a versatile lead.
- 50VarietyRobert KoehlerVarietyRobert KoehlerA former rock 'n' roller withers on the vine in California Solo, Marshall Lewy's forgettable sophomore effort (after a promising beginning with "Blue State").
- 40Village VoiceNick SchagerVillage VoiceNick SchagerAny transformation feels like a device, and any modest hopefulness comes across as simply the unearned wishful thinking of the filmmaker.