“After Man Push Cart and Chop Shop, Ramin Bahrani — a US director of Iranian origin — has established himself as one of America’s best indie directors focusing on people living on the margins of society. His latest emotional and spiritual drama takes him to another level by dealing with a couple of underclass men — one an American, one an African immigrant — who form a bond. William (former Elvis Presley bodyguard Red West, excellent) is a curmudgeonly old guy with a desire to end it all. Solo (first-timer Souléymane Sy Savané, also excellent) is an optimistic immigrant cab driver hired by William, who offers Solo a substantial sum to drive him up a mountain and leave him there to determine how he will end it all…. Many critics have pointed out the similarities of Kiarostami’s Taste of Cherry because of the film’s premise, but Bahrani brings much more warmth and, well, humanism to the relationship that develops between the two protagonists. The writing and the performances by Sy Savané and West are stunningly well done, making Goodbye Solo one of the best indie films of the year.” -PSIFF 2009