California Solo

California Solo
Supporting actors A Martinez , Brad Greenquist , Robert Cicchini , Savannah Lathem , Eli Cargas , more… Michael Des Barres , Danny Masterson Producers Mynette Louie , Robert Carlyle , Joan Huang , Nick Morton , Rick Rosenthal Studio Syncopated Films Purchase rights Stream instantly Details Format Prime Video (streaming online video) Devices Available to watch on supported devices
Barbara Barnett Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2013
In the press notes for California Solo, writer-director Marshall Lewy defines "FEAR" as an acronym that can mean either: "f*** everything and run" or "face everything and recover." Perhaps, more than anything, that is the underlying theme of his new movie California Solo. Starring Robert Carlyle in a mesmerizing performance, California Solo traces the first steps of one faded former Britpop rocker from once sense of fear to the other. When we meet the movie's central character Lachlan MacAldonich, whom Carlyle infuses with equal portions of self-loathing and charm, he is living a comfortably numb existence. Carlyle is perfectly cast as Lachlan, the Scottish former lead guitarist in a "big deal" `90s British rock band, the Cranks. The band's real "big deal" was Lachlan's older brother, the Cranks lead singer Jed, who died tragically of a drug overdose years earlier in L.A. By night, Lachlan hosts a rather morbid podcast called Flameouts, honoring the world's great musicians, tragically dead before their time: from T-Rex's Marc Bolan, to that most tragic of composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. But, the one flameout Lachlan's not yet profiled is Jed; the memory of his brother's death is still too keen and raw, even more than a decade later, as Lachlan feels responsible (with good reason) for the overdose that killed him. Since Jed's death, Lachlan hasn't been home to the U.K.--never faced family, friends, and fans. Nor really himself. Now an expat with a green card, in this self-imposed exile, hiding from his past and himself in Antelope Valley, California, Lachlan works on an organic farm owned by Warren (A Martinez in a gentle, sympathetic performance as Lachlan's patient boss). That "comfortably numb" existence, and a steady diet of beer and Scotch, seems to be the only way Lachlan can live with himself, getting drunk nightly alone in his tiny hovel of a home or at the local bar. On one such night, Lachlan is pulled over and charged with a DUI; his problems are only just beginning. A barely-remembered marijuana possession charge from years earlier threatens him with deportation unless he can prove himself valuable to someone--anyone--who is a U.S. citizen. As Lachlan confesses, "I can't think of anyone who would give a toss whether I'm here or not.", Lachlan reluctantly turns to his estranged ex-wife Catherine (Kathleen Wilhoite) and daughter Arianwen (Savannah Lathem)--whom he hasn't seen since she was three years old--as his last desperate hope against facing the music back home. It's a tricky path for him to take, full of emotional landmines, and, ultimately, there are no easy answers for him. There is also an ongoing flirtation between Lachlan and Beau, a farmer's market customer. It would have been easy to take the relationship to its logical end and land them in bed. But it really rings true that it doesn't wind up that way. Lachlan is clearly so screwed up at this point and so self-destructive at this point, it's hard to imagine him pursuing it, even though he might desire it. It's an interesting narrative choice, but it makes a lot of sense, even though it might contradict conventional wisdom (and frustrate those of us more romantic souls). And in the end, as well, the film's resolution doesn't necessarily go where the audience might expect either. There are no neat bows to tie up the shattered remains of Lachlan's life, yet it's not completely bleak. There are no pat answers; it's a hopeful, yet truthful. Lewy leaves filmgoers with a sense that he's evolving and that he is going to go face his past. California Solo, more than anything, is a carefully drawn character study of a middle-aged man stuck in a 15-year old nightmare much of his own making. To say that Robert Carlyle's performance is stunning is not hyperbole; it's simple fact. He's in nearly every frame of the 97-minute film; we can't avoid getting pulled into the chaos of his life. One moment, we feel terrible for him; at another, we want to shake him and tell him to grow up, for heaven's sake! We want him to find some peace, even as he refuses it in a self-destructive downward spiral intensified by his current problems with immigration. And whether he is wallowing in a drunken stupor of self-pity, raging about his immigration situation, shyly and ineffectively courting a beautiful young woman, or trying to reconnect with a daughter he barely knows, it's all there played out behind Carlyle's soulful eyes. He hits every emotional beat true and natural in a brilliant performance. The actor always manages to find the humanity and vulnerability in every character he plays, but California Solo gives Carlyle the opportunity to exhibit the full range of his mastery. He doesn't miss a beat; none of it feels forced. It is gorgeous, naturalistic acting at its finest. Ultimately, California Solo should be appreciated for the beautiful character study it is at its core, and the exquisite, heartbreaking performance of its lead actor. Not a huge, raucous rock movie, but rather a melancholy and not-too-sweet ballad of a film.
Senior Lady Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2022
Robert Carlyle is such a great actor who brings outstanding emotion to this true to life story of a Scottish immigrant who use to be a guitar player in a famous band. Personal troubles cause him problems staying in the US.
Kat Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2019
Lachlan MacAldonich, former britpop star and now alcoholic, works on a farm and has no friends. When he gets a DUI, he finds out that he can be deported. He doesn't want to go back. Why? The movie is the journey to find out what demons drove Lachlan away from his friends, family, and his homeland. I would have like more time between him and his family, but still a good movie. Mr. Carlyle, as Lachlan, makes you care for this self-hating jerk. Worth a watch!
R Reviewed in the United States on October 11, 2016
can't say enough how much I enjoyed this film! It was fantastic. First of all, loved the location. I'm a Californian, born & raised here... so it was a lovely and familiar setting for me. And I absolutely loved Robert Carlyle's character...his human foibles, his emotions, his frustration... you really feel for him. He's an extremely talented actor. (love his accent too...) I love the introspection as the film goes along, Lachlan having to deal with the consequences of his actions, as well as confronting where his life went off track... and his regrets. I wish there was a sequel.
D. MARSHALL Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2013
This movie is all about Robert Carlyle's acting. It's not about the script, photography, directing, editing or sound. The production values are okay. This is Marshall Lewy's first film directing, so I can cut him some slack for inexperience. The message about how alcohol ruins your life is strong. Guilt made this character the drunk he became, and the two combined are the self-imposed prison that he uses to punish himself for his brother's death. It's a sad story, but a must-see for Carlyle fans. It is not a film that I will watch over and over.
Isabella Reviewed in the United States on August 31, 2013
Really loved Robert Carlyle's performance in this film. I heard that it did very well in the Sundance Film Festival and being a fan of Robert Carlyle for quite sometime now, I had to see it for myself. He really did an excellent job at portraying a rock star that had it big and then fell out. Lots of people don't exactly realize that there are tons of men/women that are battling through this exact same story. Robert just performed this struggling addict so well, you kind of wonder if it ever happened to him in his career. See it!
Phlosar Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2013
I watched this film because of Robert Carlyle. The movie is quiet and unconventional, but I was completely absorbed in the story. This is a study of his character, for whom I occasionally cheered and more often cringed. Lachlan is hardly sympathetic, but the raw humanity and sensitivity brought by Carlyle did make me want to know Lachlan better and hope his situation would improve. As far as pure drama, this is definitely one of the better ones, and Robert Carlyle's performance a tour de force.
Lisa Park Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2015
I didn't care for the ending; felt like nothing really got resolved, especially with the potential love interest. But Bobby was terrific as usual. Would recommend just for the adorable Scottish drunk bits, the singing, and the frequent accented expletives!

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A boozy, washed-up rocker (Robert Carlyle) must finally come to terms with his inner demons when he is threatened with deportation in the wake of a DUI arrest combined with an old drug charge.

Robert Carlyle

Lachlan

Alexia Rasmussen

Beau

Kathleen Wilhoite

Xxxmas Anal Orgy Merry Christmas
Milf Anal Prolapse
J Crew Petite

California Solo

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