Like the previous reviewer, I wonder why Amazon has this slated for a March release? I've watched it three times already, having rented it from a video outlet.
In any event, anyone who admires the precision and intensely sharp work of Paul Giamatti should find this a great primer on acting. As the film shows, when "actor Paul Giamatti" suffers from the burdensome weight of rehearsing Chekhov's *Uncle Vanya* he enlists the services of an entrepreneurial operation which puts souls in cold storage. The result of a "soulless actor" is hilarious (though in interviews Giamatti swears he's not channeling William Shatner's much-parodied histrionics).
As always, Giamatti's performance is Academy Award material, casting nuances and fascinating acting choices at every turn. Ably coupled with Emily Watson and a fine supporting cast, this film, in my mind, suffers only in a couple areas--much of the film is visually dark, heavily shadowed on the DVD, and people who approach it thinking (rightfully so) that it's a bang-up comedy might find it slow going.
But I would submit the pacing is just right for this material: Soul extraction is not just played for laughs, though there are many to be enjoyed [The film is a scathing satire of the free market gone horribly wrong; see the novel *Jennifer Government* by Maxx Barry for a more free-wheeling examination of this idea]. This is a poignant Ecce-Homo-meets-Memento-Mori film whose ending begs for discussion.
Knowing it was partially filmed in Russia heightened my enjoyment of the film and added an extra dimension to the drab existential "aloneness" that one of the key players exhibited. And knowing Boris Leskin knows no English added powerful verisimilitude to the production. Though the film (again, quite rightly) is being compared to Charlie Kaufman's work, for me *Cold Souls* offered much more heart and hope than any of CK's work, which usually leaves me entertained but cold-souled.
Despite its rather measured pacing, somewhat dark transfer, and the soul extractor's appearance (to me) as an oversized roll of Cottonelle, I thoroughly enjoyed this film and recommend it to anyone who wants to think a bit while enjoying a few great performances.
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Cold Souls
Paul Giamatti
(Actor),
Emily Watson
(Actor),
Sophie Barthes
(Director, Writer)
&
0
more Rated: Format: DVD
PG-13
IMDb6.4/10.0
$14.91$14.91
No Import Fees Deposit & $9.35 Shipping to Netherlands Details
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| Price | $14.91 | |
| AmazonGlobal Shipping | $9.35 | |
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-52% $7.11$7.11
New Condition Price: $14.91$14.91
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No Import Fees Deposit & $9.35 Shipping to Netherlands Details
Shipping & Fee Details
| Price | $14.91 | |
| AmazonGlobal Shipping | $9.35 | |
| Estimated Import Fees Deposit | $0.00 | |
| | ||
| Total | $24.26 | |
| Additional DVD options | Edition | Discs | Price | New from | Used from |
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DVD
February 2, 2010 "Please retry" | — | 3 | $55.96 | — |
Enhance your purchase
| Genre | Comedy |
| Format | Multiple Formats, AC-3, Color, Dolby, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen |
| Contributor | Dina Korzun, Emily Watson, Paul Giamatti, Michael Tucker, Brienin Bryant, Ted Koch, David Strathairn, Armand Schultz, Natalia Zvereva, Sophie Barthes, Oksana Lada, Laura Heisler, Lauren Ambrose See more |
| Language | English |
| Runtime | 1 hour and 41 minutes |
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4.1 out of 5 stars
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Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2010
5 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2010
Paul Giamatti has a bit of a problem. Yeah, that Paul Giamatti, you see While working on a play, he's struggling to get by. He can't quite figure out what's not right, but his agent thinks he has the answer - store your soul for awhile. Much like the memory erasing process in Eternal Sunshine, you're not really erasing who you are. Not totally. Just getting rid of some extra baggage. There may be some side effects as every soul is different who knows what those will be?
This is NOT a movie for everyone. It's not really a comedy, not a drama, not an action flick. It just sort of is. The cover of of the DVD does paint it as the kind of comedy that will pretty much have you on the floor rolling. That's not what this is. Luckily I had an idea of what it was before I bought it and knew it was my kind of movie. Instead of what the cover depicts it as, it's actually one of those movies that has you questioning the impossible. Would you store your soul if the option did exist? It has you wondering will Paul get his soul back? At one point you start to wonder, should he even try to get it back? Etc. I don't want to go too far beyond that for fear I'd give away too much.
I'm giving it 5 stars because it's totally my kind of movie. But be warned you'd really have to like movies like Eternal Sunshine, Being John Malkovich, I heart Huckabees, etc to like this one. If you want a movie that will have you laughing non stop or that will wrap things up with a nice little Hollywood bow at the end with no questions left unanswered, this isn't the movie for you.
This is NOT a movie for everyone. It's not really a comedy, not a drama, not an action flick. It just sort of is. The cover of of the DVD does paint it as the kind of comedy that will pretty much have you on the floor rolling. That's not what this is. Luckily I had an idea of what it was before I bought it and knew it was my kind of movie. Instead of what the cover depicts it as, it's actually one of those movies that has you questioning the impossible. Would you store your soul if the option did exist? It has you wondering will Paul get his soul back? At one point you start to wonder, should he even try to get it back? Etc. I don't want to go too far beyond that for fear I'd give away too much.
I'm giving it 5 stars because it's totally my kind of movie. But be warned you'd really have to like movies like Eternal Sunshine, Being John Malkovich, I heart Huckabees, etc to like this one. If you want a movie that will have you laughing non stop or that will wrap things up with a nice little Hollywood bow at the end with no questions left unanswered, this isn't the movie for you.
4 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 18, 2015
This is a metaphysical comedy. To me it is a perfect film. Mr. Paul Giamatti may be the greatest living actor we have now. I cannot give away much so quite hard to describe. Let's just say when you are a mule (drug runner) but here it is 'Soul runner' you get remnants left on you and damn if this isn't such an intense experience. They also leave New York City (you see all Russian part of NYC rarely shown in films) and he explores Russia. Lovely to see this side of Russia. He runs into a vapid television show beauty queen who may have something of HIS and then her gangster husband comes into play. Please see it. A + 10 10 10. The last one minute or so always makes me tear up when we learn about HER fate. Most of it is a uniquely written comedy for people that understand depression or existential issues. They deserve comedies too! I own this film and I think it is the only film I bought in over a decade if that says something. I want to share with friends and do.
10 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on October 22, 2016
Let start by typing that this film is flawed. It is wonderfully flawed. It takes a chance. It reaches out into the dark. It feels as though it may have been a short story in a previous life. There are segments of the plot that can be confusing. These aren't anchors to the work's merit. This film is a candle to the bonfire of imagination. I find no flaw with the performances of any of the actors. Paul Giamatti delivered a strong, existential portrayal of himself. I am especially impressed by the work of Dina Korzun. She beautifully expressed a character (who is technically without a soul) with convincing detail. If you are looking for something different, this could very well be what you are seeking. The film embodies the "goggles." It opens one up to introspection.
One person found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2018
From the start I found the premise a bit strange. Get rid of your soul -- as if it's the source of all your trouble? Now, I can imagine people wanting to store or get rid of part of their problematic brain, their screwed up conditioning. But the true self, the soul, the untouched beingness with which we enter the world? That's upside down thinking to me!
The other thing is, he didn't really change much depending on who's soul was supposedly inhabiting him. So was it all a placebo effect? A great sales pitch? This was never explored.
Great acting, some really funny and intriguing moments, but a flat ending. And ultimately meaningless.
The other thing is, he didn't really change much depending on who's soul was supposedly inhabiting him. So was it all a placebo effect? A great sales pitch? This was never explored.
Great acting, some really funny and intriguing moments, but a flat ending. And ultimately meaningless.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries
D-Mac
3.0 out of 5 stars
Lost In Vanillabirdmanslation.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2018
A bit disappointing really. The story didn’t really ramp up, like it threatened (spoiler) when they got to Russia. It never gets out of second gear unfortunately, and I think the premise had so much more potential. Although the acting is decent throughout, I feel like many characters/relationships were left sorely underdeveloped. The film ends up being a hodgepodge of Birdman, Lost In Translation, and Vanilla Sky, without hitting any of their high points.
D. R. Day
5.0 out of 5 stars
once again only for intelligent viewers.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 6, 2016
Giamatti proves again that he is a first rate actor, once again only for intelligent viewers.
leif b.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Five Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 24, 2016
Excellent movie, highly recommended.
Crazy QB
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 22, 2016
Good.
Albatross
3.0 out of 5 stars
Don't mention Charlie Kaufman... (whoops)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 24, 2012
Talking about Cold Souls is almost impossible without mentioning Charlie Kaufman (who wrote Being John Malkovich and other similar `far out' screenplays). Unfortunately, Cold Souls' writer/director Sophie Barthes seems to want to distance her work from that of Kaufman's.
If you've seen Being John Malkovich you'll know the script is a back `out there' (and if you haven't seen it, you definitely should!) - it explores weird existential themes like multiple people living in one body etc. And, whether Sophie Barthes likes it or not, or even meant it or not, Cold Souls if definitely in the same category.
Paul Giamatti plays (a slightly exaggerated various of) himself - an actor of reasonable credibility, who's having trouble getting into character for one of his plays. He hears about a company who can remove (and store) your soul, freeing you up for apparently anything.
If you can believe in the concept of removing, storing (and even selling!) your soul, then you should at least be intrigued by this film. It's part drama, part comedy and part make-you-question-the-nature-of-being, but never stays with just one of the genres for any length of time.
Naturally things don't go right for poor Paul and his soul gets stolen and he has to track it down. What follows won't have you falling off your seat laughing, nor in floods of tears, but, if you're after something that's just a little bit quirky then this one might be for you.
Bottom line: if you liked Being John Malkovich then this one may also amuse.
If you've seen Being John Malkovich you'll know the script is a back `out there' (and if you haven't seen it, you definitely should!) - it explores weird existential themes like multiple people living in one body etc. And, whether Sophie Barthes likes it or not, or even meant it or not, Cold Souls if definitely in the same category.
Paul Giamatti plays (a slightly exaggerated various of) himself - an actor of reasonable credibility, who's having trouble getting into character for one of his plays. He hears about a company who can remove (and store) your soul, freeing you up for apparently anything.
If you can believe in the concept of removing, storing (and even selling!) your soul, then you should at least be intrigued by this film. It's part drama, part comedy and part make-you-question-the-nature-of-being, but never stays with just one of the genres for any length of time.
Naturally things don't go right for poor Paul and his soul gets stolen and he has to track it down. What follows won't have you falling off your seat laughing, nor in floods of tears, but, if you're after something that's just a little bit quirky then this one might be for you.
Bottom line: if you liked Being John Malkovich then this one may also amuse.
One person found this helpful
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