Product Details

• Actors: Robert Downey Jr., Charles Grodin, Alfre Woodard, Kyra Sedgwick, Tom Sizemore
• Directors: Ron Underwood
• Writers: Brent Maddock, Erik Hansen, Gregory Hansen, S.S. Wilson
• Producers: Cari-Esta Albert, Dirk Petersmann, Dixie J. Capp
• Format: AC-3, Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: French (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Universal Studios
• DVD Release Date: November 17, 1998
• Run Time: 104 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0783230079
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,966 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Heart and Souls" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Robert Downey Jr. has never been more charming than in this comedy about a yuppie who is revisited in adulthood by the spirits of four people who had been his friends as a child. The ghosts (Kyra Sedgwick, Charles Grodin, Alfre Woodard, Tom Sizemore) all have unfinished business in this world before they can move on to the next, and Downey's character agrees to let them inhabit his body while they sort it all out. The appealing cast alone strongly recommends this movie, but Downey's remarkable facility for physical comedy--manifesting the personalities of his supernatural pals as they possess him--is a riot. Elisabeth Shue makes the best of her part as the hero's girlfriend; Leaving Las Vegas was still ahead of her, but one can see her talent straining to get out here. The DVD release has a widescreen presentation, production notes, theatrical trailer, biographies of the cast, closed captioning, an optional French soundtrack and Spanish subtitles, and Dolby sound. --Tom Keogh

Product Description

A fatal bus accident ties the souls of four strangers to Thomas Reilly, who's born at the exact time of the crash. Once Thomas is grown up, the four learn they each have one chance to resolve the unfinished business in their lives. To do this, they need to temporarily take over his body and Thomas will not cooperate.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly Heartwarming, Soulful and Inspiring, December 6, 2004

By	Laura De Giorgio "www.deeptrancenow.com" (Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Heart and Souls, March 27, 2008

By	Kelly "Reviewer for The Sinfully Sensuous" (Littleton, Colorado) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

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.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Your Typical Boy Meets Angels Story..., May 25, 2006

By	allismile0 "allismile0" (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews

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.