The movie based on LAT columnist Steve Lopez's stories and book about homeless musician Nathaniel Ayers was already being promoted in trailers. But Paramount bumped it from the November schedule, saying it's "an awkward time to release a movie about homelessness." Instead it's release will be next March 13. Times columnist Patrick Goldstein calls Paramount's reason BS, saying that the real reason is to cut costs and help its other films' Oscar chances. He also says it's essentially no harm no foul.

If "The Soloist" gets a good reception in March, it will survive and flourish.

Variety emphasizes Paramount's financial benefits and the disappointment at Dreamworks, which apparently had Oscar hopes for the movie starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey Jr. Nikki Finke calls Dreamworks, which recently split from Paramount, "very upset."