'Goodbye Solo' review

Red West and Souléymane Sy Savané (Credit: Roadside Attractions)

Senegal-born North Carolina cab driver Solo (brilliant first-timer Souleymane Sy Savane) looks out for elderly customer William (Red West), who suggests that in a couple weeks he will need another ride—this time to a cliff so he can jump off.

The buzz: Iranian-American director Ramin Bahrani has shown flair for slow-paced naturalism with 2005's "Man Push Cart"—a sad look at a Pakistani man's attempt to make it in New York—and 2007's similar but more assured "Chop Shop," a portrait of young kids trying to move up in the world that bests "Slumdog Millionaire." Hopefully "Solo," which offers Bahrani's most straightforward plot, continues the filmmaker's ascent towards greatness.

The verdict: William's vague, presumably traumatic family history (that he won't discuss with Solo) seems less like Bahrani is examining the limits of human connection than just withholding information. However, by coupling William with Solo—who sends money to his family in Africa, supports his wife and kids in North Carolina and longs to be a flight attendant—the film questions why the past motivates some people to keep going and others to give up. Bahrani again proves himself a master of tapping into the art of everyday living without trying to coax out beauty that isn't there.

Did you know? Solo says that he's particularly likely to ask customers about themselves if they have "big booties." Nice to show an interest, but this is not a practice we suggest mentioning in a job interview.