Customer Reviews

Heart and Souls

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie revolves around one question "What one thing, if you did it, would've made a difference in your life?"

It is a good question for all of us to consider in the course of our daily lives. In this movie, four people die prematurely in a bus accident - OK, four people plus the bus driver whose mind was preoccupied with sex and instead of watching where he was driving, he swerved off the bridge. All of these four people had some unfinished business, so they remain earthbound. They find themselves attached to a body of a kid and stick around until he's all grown up. Not knowing at first what to do, or the reason for them being earthbound, they are attempting to be of help to the kid, but seeing that they are causing him more problems than help, they stop interfering with his life and mind their own business, still wondering why are they stuck.

Eventually, it is revealed to them that they were still earthbound so that they could resolve one thing that would've made a difference in their lives. Now, the challenge begins, because it is not just a matter of doing the thing, but about overcoming inner obstacle, and having guts to follow one's heart. After all, that is what life is about, that is what every day is about - having the courage to follow one's heart, having the courage to listen to one's soul - and in this movie it is a team-spirit of one individual helping another to do that one thing that would've given meaning to his life, that would have left him enriched and empowered in some way, that would've justified the reason he had the body in the first place. One may here also developed a new appreciation for one's body and one's life on earth because there are some things that just can't be done without it.

The characters and the cast in this movie are utterly delightful and as you watch the movie, it's not only that you may enjoy the movie, but perhaps it helps you to look at your life in a different way and consider what it is that you would like your life to stand for and to just go for it.

The movie is not only heartwarming but also full of humorous tidbits and at the end of the movie there's a part with B.B. King playing that sent thrills and shivers of delight throughout my body.

In the history of film there are a masterpieces made almost every year. These films are judged by the intellect as well as societal reactions to them, and finally how they measure to the achievements that went before them.
BUT...
What is much more rare, are the films that successfully and creatively focus on the issues of the heart. Films that are able touch the beauty and innocence of the human condition- reminding us not what is wrong with the world, but what redemption can do for the world. Films that do not manipulate the emotions of the viewer, but have the grace to warm our hearts.

Heart And Souls is one of those special films that takes a tender and joyous look at redemption and true humanity, but with a humorous approach. Robert Downey Jr., Kyra Sedgwick, Charles Grodin, Alfre Woodard, and Tom Sizemore all give wonderful performances. The film is poetic, humorous, and touching all at the same time. I think it's the type of film that can fit any mood regardless of if you want to be moved or just laugh and have fun. When you get down to it, Heart And Souls is just wonderful entertainment.

This is one of those thought provoking movies. Everyone faces a crossroads in his or her lives that is a turning point. Four people at those crossroads die prematurely before they are able to make a decision, and are fated to roam the earth until they resolve unfinished business. Their only human contact to figure everything out is Robert Downey Jr. The entire cast was actually very good, and well chosen - Kyra Sedgwick, Charles Grodin, Alfre Woodard, and Tom Sizemore give emotional heartwarming performances.

This is one of my favorite movies. I was only eight years old when I first saw it and ever since then, it has been on of my favorite movies.

A bus accident claims the lives of Harrison (Charles Grodin) (a frustrated opera singer is overcome by stage fright), Julia (Kyria Sedgwick) (a young woman who has let the love of her life walk out on her), Milo (Tom Seizmore) (a burglar with a guilty conscience), and Penny (Alfre Woodard) (a single mother who must leave her kids to work the night shift). The accident occurs at the exact moment a newborn baby boy was brought into the world: Thomas Reilly. Harrison, Julia, Penny, and Milo become ghosts and are immediately drawn to Thomas. They become friends with Thomas. The problem is, only Thomas can see and hear them.

When Thomas turns seven years old, the four ghosts realize that they are getting Thomas into trouble. They must sadly fade out of his life. 27 years go by and Thomas (Robert Downey, jr.) is a hard-working business man, who is in a relationship with a young woman (Elisabeth Shu). The relationship isn't going well, for he is driving her away. The four ghosts realize why they are connected to Thomas: They need him to help resolve one thing in their lives before they died. The problem is, in order to help them, they must take over his body.

You'll all enjoy this heart warming comedy. I have many times. Buy this and you'll be watching over and over again.

This movie is definitely schmaltzy, of this there can be no question. However, as another reviewer so eloquently stated said, it works. After all, it's not so often that one feels quite so shamelessly manipulated by a movie yet remains wearing a smile to the end.
The four actors comprising the four "limbo-ed" souls are excellent in their own right, with Tom Sizemore being especially good in a comical role quite unlike his other star turns. Elizabeth Shue must be one of my favourite heroines (you could tell she had it even back in "The Karate Kid"), and it is downright unbelievable that she hasn't appeared in any major releases as of late. She is utterly winning in her appearance here. Still, even her performance is eclipsed by Robert Downey, Jr., whose ability to capture his fellow actors' personal mannerisms (or I should say their characters' mannerisms) is a lesson in the art of imitation/impersonation. The sheer talent of Mr. Downey is a joy to behold, and it is a tragedy for the acting community (and the audience) that such a phenomenal actor has been so shackled by drugs and forced to act in such dreck as "Gothika".
"Heart and Souls" is a marvellous movie, well worth the 5 stars given. It reeled me in hook, line, and sinker.

I'm not someone who usually watches these types of movies, but after the first time I saw Heart & Souls it seemed to have left a mark on me. It left me with a good feeling inside. I bought it on VHS a few years back and now own it on DVD. This movie wasn't really big at the box office which is kind of a shame since you don't see movies of this quality every day. This movie is good to watch with your family, your spouse, or just by yourself if your looking to feel a little bit better. I would definatly reccomend that you watch this movie and let it make it's mark on you.

First off, oh my goodness! Let me just say that I absouloutley LOVED this movie! At first, when my mom told me that we were going to rent it and told me the name, I was like "'Heart and Souls?' Sounds pretty dumb to me, probably the typical romantic comedy, I'll hate it," and then I watched it! I couldn't take my eyes off the screen! I laughed, I cried, I jumped for joy, it was an all over fantastical film! Robert Downey Jr. gives and excellent performane (as always, and Alfre Woodard and the rest of the cast just dazzles! One of my favorite parts (and one of the funniest) is where Downey's character is dancing down the middle of the street with the ghosts (Kyra Sedgwick, Charles Grodin, Alfre Woodard, Tom Sizemore) singing "Walk Like a Man." It would be strange to see, conisdering that the only one who can see that ghosts are Downey himself, so all the rest of the world would see would be one crazy man walking down a street singing to himself! Oh, this movie is definitley in my favorites collection! I'll never get tired of it! :) Buy it, rent it, just watch it! You won't be disappointed!

It's the 1950s. A man has a chance for a big audition, but is afraid to sing in front of a crowd. Another man steals a valuable item from a 10 year-old boy, feels guilty, but is unable to return the item. A low-income single mother puts her three children to bed, then hurries off to work the night shift. Another woman has the opportunity to tell her boyfriend she loves him, but fails to take it. Then POOF! They're dead, and find themselves to be ghosts with unresolved issues in their lives. Mysteriously, they find that their souls are forced to stay within about 10 feet of a baby named Thomas, and hang out with him as his "imaginary friends" until he's 8 years old, at which point they still hang out with him, but are invisible to him. When Thomas is an adult, the four souls find they're supposed to have Thomas help them resolve the one major issue they wish they could have resolved before they died. Not surprisingly, they reappear to him as an adult.

This is not only a great idea for a movie plot, it's well executed with excellent acting, good humor, and good cinematography. The five major actors were all a pleasure to watch, in particular, Robert Downy Jr., as the grown up Thomas Reilly who did some amazing physical comedy. The child actors were great at conveying emotion, particularly the boy who plays the school age Thomas Reilly, and Lavar David Levingston who plays the 4 year-old son of the single mother. Most plot twists are predictable, but if you had as much fun as I did watching, you'll easily overlook that.

If you had the good fortune to be alive at the end of the movie, you'll realize that you still have the chance to resolve the issues in your life, without waiting until you're a ghost and having to cajole a living person to do it for you. The movie tells us in a humorous way, not to miss our opportunity!

Let's be blunt: There are better-made films out there. This film is cheesey and preposterous. But who the hell cares? We don't go watch films to see perfection in cinematography; we watch films to be absorbed by a story that takes us on an emotional journey with the characters, at least most of the time. This movie is MY FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME simply because I couldn't imagine being more touched on a heartfelt level. Not only is this film absolutely hilarious and exciting and a rollercoaster ride throughout; but it is also an emotional-powerhouse film told with so much heartbeat to its rythm that it feels like music. A MUST SEE for anyone who's looking for a beautifully original story of love and friendship. Enjoy!

There is nothing in this movie that should be more than ordinary. It's sentimental. It's a tug on every heart string that's been tugged too often before. But it works. It works because of the grace and gracelessness of Robert Downey, Jr. in the lead role and because of his interaction with the ghosts who guide him to his enlightenment. Alfre Woodard (especially), Charles Grodin, Tom Sizemore and Kyra Sedgewick give Downey the life lessons he needs and find their own release. It's a sweet and lovely movie.