Heart and Souls (1993)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Ron Underwood

Writers (WGA):

Gregory Hansen (short film)
Gregory Hansen (screen story) ...

Release Date:

13 August 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Fantasy | Comedy

Tagline:

The story of four souls who needed a body and one guy who needed some soul.

Plot:

A businessman is reunited with the four lost souls who were his guardian angels during childhood, all with a particular purpose to joining the afterlife.

Plot Keywords:

Life After Death | Reincarnation | San Francisco California

Awards:

1 win & 10 nominations

Cast

Robert Downey Jr.	...	Thomas Reilly
Charles Grodin	...	Harrison Winslow
Alfre Woodard	...	Penny Washington
Kyra Sedgwick	...	Julia
Tom Sizemore	...	Milo Peck
David Paymer	...	Hal the Bus Driver
Elisabeth Shue	...	Anne
Bill Calvert	...	Mr. Reilly
Lisa Lucas	...	Mrs. Reilly
Shannon Orrock	...	Woman at Audition
Michael Zebulon	...	Singer at Audition
Chasiti Hampton	...	Shirley Washington - Age 7
Wanya Green	...	Diane Washington - Age 9
Janet MacLachlan	...	Agnes Miller
Lavar David Levingston	...	Billy Washington - Age 4

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | South Korea:12 | Australia:PG | UK:PG | USA:PG | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Long Beach, California, USA

Company:

Alphaville Films

Trivia:

Julia's letter to John reads as follows: "John, There was so much I wanted to say to you tonight, but everything I said somehow came out all wrong. I am coming home because I want to be with you. I hope you'll give me another chance. Whatever happens, please know I will love you always. Julia"

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: When the school-age Thomas goes to the boys room, and comes out of the bathroom stall and goes to wash his hand, he doesn't push on the faucet button to start the water flow, and yet he is "washing" his hands

Quotes:

Hal the Bus Driver: It is time, ooooh!
Milo Peck: It is time? Ooooh?

Movie Connections:

References Topper (1937)

Soundtrack:

The Thrill Is Gone

Enchanting tale of man "possessed" by friendly spirits

Robert Downey Jr. is wonderful as the man who became the medium for 4 people who died in a bus accident at the same moment the hero was born. As a child these "friends" were known only to him, eventually leading to psychiatric evaluations because parents, teachers et al insisted something had to be wrong with this child. While still a small child, the "spirits" decide it's time for him to be "without his special fiends"...until at about age 30 they suddenly make contact again. They need a favor; 4 favors. Each one of the foursome died before they could take care of some important unfinished business. In order to go to Heaven and rest in peace, their "little friend" would need to allow each of them to enter his body (since they are only souls) to accomplish their missions.

The 4 scenarios are beautiful expressions of love and kindness, and although disrupting the young man's (love) life immensely, in the end he too is richer from the turbulence's. -- This is a wonderful fantasy, a big winner with romantic movie lovers. I have watched this film several times and will enjoy it again and again. The widescreen DVD version is particularly enjoyable. This is a sparkling gem of a movie!