Review of Heart and Souls (1993) by Michael Y — 24 Sep 2011

There is a wonderful line of family movies made in the '90s that just picks you up and puts a smile on your face and a tear in your eye. Heart and Souls isn't an extravagant movie, but it is a fun dramedy without a single dull moment.

In 1959 4 very different characters and a busdriver die in an accident, but the 4 come back as ghosts to have a mysteriously unbreakable bond with the newly born baby boy, Thomas, who is the only one who can see them. They don't know why they have to be with him, all they know is that they can't leave him. So they stick with Thomas and raise him as though he was their own. Thomas grows up to be a yuppy until the 4 make themselves appear to him again when they find out how Thomas can help them move on. Heart and Souls is a very funny, heartwarming, and creative take on the tale of the afterlife. The best part of the movie is the chemisty between all the characters which is very important, but their performances are wonderful and can bring a tear to your eye. Grodin, Woodard, Sedgwick and Sizemore are just wonderful in their roles, but Robert Downey Jr. eventually steals the show and makes the movie all the more compelling. We expect this dramedy to loose its steam and value after a few good moments, but Heart and Souls rarely has a dull moment and keeps going until we are satisfied, comedically and emotionally.

Heart and Souls looks as wonderful as the title makes it out to be. There are very few cut corners in this impressively developed movie. The directing of the scenes are smooth, natural and comedical. I think there are very few scenes in this movie that didn't work. What gave the movie its kick though is the great cinematography. This movie has a sort of soft and comfortable feel to it, combined with the directing and music. The lighting is creative and impressive, and there are just some great moments that are captured on the screen in a wonderful way, like when the actors start singing 'Walk Like A Man' down the street. (which, by the way, all the actors did their own singing) But the great cinematography is complimented by the great art direction. This movie has a variety of wonderful sets and costumes that look wonderful. (cause part of the movie takes place during the '50s and '60s) This movie has a great retro look to it, and continues to through the classy performances from the cast. There's also a great use of miniatures for a number of scenes that look impressive. Oh, and the special effects are really cool in this movie too. The ghost characters can't leave Thomas, so Sizemore would sit on the ground and when Thomas walks away he would be mystically dragged along. I love that detail. And the special effect to make the characters pass through walls and other objects is a wonderful touch.

I can recall a number of really wonderful dramedies from the '90s that have a touch of the supernatural. These romantic movies are creative, fun, and they work because most other movies of the genre don't seem to have the same effect. Especially now. Unfortunately Heart and Souls wasn't one of the ones I saw when I was a kid, BUT, it has the exact same heartwarming feeling. Heart and Souls is a touching comedy that can pick you up when you're blue, anyday of the week.