Simply A Masterpiece

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Great movie. Not sure what people expected but I found it highly entertaining.

Drawn to the soul of a newly born baby, four acquaintances in limbo who died in a bus crash gradually realise their true purpose in this quirky and unusual blend of comedy and fantasy elements. The film takes a long time to warm up with seventeen minutes elapsing before the crash; the movie also turns a tad too sentimental for its own good towards the end. The vast majority of 'Heart and Souls' though is highly captivating stuff with the film achieving much comedic mileage from the newborn's shenanigans when primary school aged and when, as an adult, the foursome discover that they can possess his body. While a funnier film could have easily been carved from the dear departed possessing his body as a child, Robert Downey Jr. admittedly hits the nail on the head, perfectly capturing the characteristics of all four when they at various points possess him. Tom Sizemore additionally brings large doses of comedy as the loudest and most outspoken dear departed soul, constantly dragged along the ground as the foursome find themselves unable to stay more than a few metres away from the newborn. Some have questioned the theological aspects of the film with the notion of being able stall or procrastinate their souls passing on certainly coming off as awkward at best, but this is a highly enjoyable film if one does not think about it too much. Particularly appealing is the camaraderie that develops between the highly diverse characters who in their everyday lives would have probably never ever spoken to one another.

Funny thing about Robert Downey, Jr. When he was younger I felt that he was one of the most gifted young actors around, particularly in light/sentimental comedies (e.g., "Only You", "Chances Are"). But, I was appalled by his personal behavior, particularly his drug addictions. Then he cleaned up his act, for which I admired him a great deal. But he seemed to lose the ability to play that very special kind of charming, romantic comedy. And frankly, I haven't been very impressed with most of the work he has done since. Ah well, such is life.This film has to be one of the most charming...well, it's not really a comedy at all (although it has its share of humor)...charming fantasies I've ever watched. Sentimental, humorous, even thought provoking. And Robert Downey, Jr. clearly steals the show...particularly in his performances when the other dead co-stars take over his body.That he so dominates the film is surprising since he is not in the first third of the film, and is acting with some very formidable performers. Charles Grodin plays, well, Charles Grodin here...but that's perfect for the part. Alfre Woodard is simply superb as the mother taken away from her children. Kyra Sedgwick is delightful as the young woman who made a bad decision romantically while still living. And Tom Sizemore is authentic as the Italian light thief. I give this praise while saying that I've never been a fan of either Sizemore or Sedgwick.It's rare that I give an "8", but this film sets a high for standard for adult fantasies. Bravo! Highly recommended!

I can't even begin to explain how much I love this movie. Everything about it makes me feel ahhhh. I'm surprised I never saw this movie sooner. I never really heard about it. I don't even have to explain it just watch it, you will fall in love. The only thing I wish was different was elizabeth shues character, i dunno, I just didn't like her. but i dunno maybe that was just part of the film. All the other characters/ actors were great. Everyone had a great story that went with them and you had a tear of joy for each one. I will say no more just watch it and u will love it. thanks.................................................

In 1959, in San Francisco, the telephone operator Penny Washington (Alfre Woodard) leaves her three children to work in her night shift. The shy singer Harrison Winslow (Charles Grodin) is afraid of the stage and quits his audition. The waitress Julia (Kyra Sedgwick) is proposed by her boyfriend and she does not accept; then she regrets and leaves her job to seek him out. The smalltime thief Milo Peck (Tom Sizemore) tries to retrieve a valuable collection of stamps that he had stolen from a boy. They embark in a bus and the driver Hal (David Paymer) distracts while driving and has a serious accident, and driver and passengers die. Meanwhile, Frank Reilly (Bill Calvert) is driving his pregnant wife Eva Reilly (Lisa Lucas) to the hospital. Frank successfully escapes from the bus but Eva is nervous and delivers her baby in the car. The souls of the four passengers become the guardian angels and the invisible friends of the boy Thomas Reilly. Seven years later, Penny, Julia, Harrison and Milo conclude that they are harming the boy and they decide to become invisible also to him.Thirty and something years later, Hal returns with his bus to take them four and the quartet learns that they had all those years to resolve the issues of their lives. They ask Hal to stall and give some more time for them to resolve their unfinished lives and they decide to come back to Thomas (Robert Downey Jr.), who is now a tough businessman and indecisive in his relationship with girlfriend Anne (Elisabeth Shue), and ask him to help them to resolve their issues and become free souls. In the end, Thomas also becomes a better man."Heart and Souls" is one of the most adorable films of the 90's. The writer uses the central idea of the successful "Ghost" (1990) to make a witty and delightful comedy, with state-of-art special effects in 1993.Kyra Sedgwick, Tom Sizemore, Alfre Woodard, Charles Grodin and Robert Downey Jr. show an amazing chemistry and they really seem to have fun while shooting this film. Kyra Sedgwick shows a beautiful smile and Robert Downey Jr. is hilarious. The cameo of B.B. King is a plus that gives the status of cult to this film. The message in the end is very nice and I do not recall how many times I have seen "Heart and Souls" on VHS in the 90's. Yesterday I saw it on DVD for the first time and I only regret that there are no extras, only the film. My vote is nine.Title (Brazil): "Morrendo e Aprendendo" ("Dying and Learning")