The series Solos has 7 episodes in Season 1 and each one depicts an experience in the characters’ lives. Set in various time periods, the actors bring the stories to life with the final episode adding a revelation. Some episodes are very emotional others are more challenging, but all show the power of each actor’s ability to create incisive characters for the screen.
In the first episode Leah (played by Anne Hathaway) has been working on a process that will allow her to time travel. One of the top physicists in the world, she will stop at nothing to reach the final step to make it all happen. But in this case Leah will have to be careful for what she wishes. The segment is directed by Zach Braff and written by David Weil.
In Episode 2 we find Tom, played by Anthony Mackie, on the edge of his life trying to deal with a decision that he’s contemplating, but has trepidations. Faced with this one final major decision, we listen as he vacillates right up to the final moment. What would you leave behind for your family to remember you if you could make that choice. Written and directed by David Weil.
Episode 3 features Helen Mirren in a role that shows her amazing acting ability. As Peg we find her in a space ship taking a trip into space. Conflicted on earth about her life she made the choice to be a part of an experiment that will give her the ride of her life. As she travels in her journey we get an emotional look into Pegs past while knowing what’s planned for her future. Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson written by David Weil.
Chapter 4 Sasha (Uzo Aduba) finds herself a in a lock down in her home due to a global pandemic. She has been at home for twenty years and she doesn’t know what life is really like outside the confines of the space within her single family house. However she has to make a choice as her smart home has informed her that the outside world has announced an all clear. It’s the biggest challenge she will have to face, but only if she can make herself believe they are telling the truth. Directed by David Weil and written by Tori Sampson
In episode 5, sitting in a special room for what seems like years we find Jenny (played by Constance Wu) dressed in a strange outfit and waiting for answers. Getting bored she talks about her past and how she would have liked her sex life to be played out. Admitting to some weird situations we listen to her sick story, or is it really a confession? Have you ever wished you could take back the worse day of your life? Directed by David Weil and written by Bekka Bowling.
In episode 6 Nicole Beharie brings a role of a special kind of motherhood as the woman Nera. Caught up in a cabin with a huge snow storm outside she’s a pregnant woman in her final term. With the nearest hospital miles away and the storm getting worse she contacts her doctor and then 911 but to no avail. Struggling she’s able to birth her baby. But, something unusual is happening to her son by the hour. Directed by Tiffany Johnson and written by Stacy Osei-Kufour.
In the final episode Otto (Dan Stevens) visits Stuart, an old man who has dementia. Interested in Stuart’s welfare, Otto has obtained a memory implant he would like to test on him. As the conversation about the wonder drug becomes of a suspicious nature, Stuart starts to vacillate on allowing the stranger to inject him with it. Directed by Same Taylor-Johnson and written by David Weil.
Solos is rated TV-14 and contains language and sexual innuendos. The series can be seen on Amazon Prime Video. Nicely acted, directed and produced (4 out of 5 Stars overall).
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Uzo Aduba, Nicole Beharie, Morgan Freeman, Anne Hathaway, Anthony Mackie, Helen Mirren, Dan Stevens, and Constance Wu
Creator: David Weil
Genre: Drama, Sci-Fi, Fantasy
TV Rating: TV-14 language, sexual innuendos.
Running Time: Series 1, 7 episodes
Opening Date: May 21, 2021
Distributed by: Amazon Studios
Released in: Amazon Prime Video
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
