Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.
In 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. Read full review
Even as California Solo plays like a track we've heard before, it's still worth a listen. Read full review
There's a lovely gravity and specificity to the story that transcends instances of bumpy filmmaking. Read full review
Even with its strong supporting cast, I doubt this small, finely observed movie would have seen the commercial light of day without Carlyle in the lead. Amid the deafening roar of big Oscar-bait pictures, I'm glad it's there. Read full review
Robert Carlyle's performance compensates for the film's less successful elements and even makes you wonder if they might be strengths. Read full review
Carlyle gives a quietly engaging performance as a Golden State farmworker with a secret in the likable indie California Solo. Read full review
Marshall 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. Read full review
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. Read full review
Fans 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. Read full review
Lewy’s script doesn’t cop out with any sentimental redemption, but neither does it establish why the self-destructive Lachlan deserves our sympathy. Read full review