Soul (2020)
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A jazz-loving teacher's journey through the afterlife leads to a profound discovery about the meaning of life.
The story
In New York City, Joe Gardner is a middle school teacher and aspiring pianist who dreams of playing jazz professionally. After receiving a life-changing opportunity to perform with a famous jazz musician, Joe's excitement leads to a tragic accident. He finds himself in a realm known as the 'Great Before,' where he is mistaken for a mentor to a cynical soul named 22. While trying to find a way back to his body, Joe must navigate the complexities of the afterlife and the realization of what it truly means to have a 'spark' for life.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After falling into a manhole during a jazz audition, Joe Gardner's soul enters the 'Great Before.' He is paired with 22, a cynical soul who has lived in the afterlife for centuries. They travel to 'the Zone' to find Joe's body in a hospital. Upon returning to Earth, they swap bodies: 22 inhabits Joe's body while Joe becomes a therapy cat. While 22 experiences the joys of human life—tasting food and hearing music—Joe works to get them back to their original forms. During a confrontation at a jazz club, 22 chooses to stay in Joe's body, leading to a separation. Joe eventually realizes that a 'spark' is not a specific purpose, but the simple joy of living. He finds 22 in the Zone and helps her realize this truth. Ultimately, Joe is offered a chance to return to his own body on Earth, where he chooses to live fully.
- First release year
- 2020
- Runtime (minutes)
- 101
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Pete Docter
- Writers
- Pete Docter · writer; Mike Jones · writer; Kemp Powers · writer
- Cast and characters
- Jamie Foxx · Joe Gardner; Tina Fey · 22; Graham Norton · Moonwind; Rachel House · Terry; Alice Braga · Jerry; Richard Ayoade · Jerry; Phylicia Rashad · Libba Gardner; Donnell Rawlings · Dez; Questlove · Lamont "Curley" Baker; Angela Bassett · Dorothea Williams
- Genres
- animated; fantasy
- Themes
- meaning of life; purpose; determinism
- Tone and mood
- emotional; metaphysical
- Premise and plot tags
- body swapping; afterlife; jazz
- Reception
- Soul received critical acclaim for its animation, screenplay, subject matter, emotional depth, score and mature themes. It was also noted for its 'colorful visuals and gentle wisdom' and 'sublime' musical score.
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Animated Feature · win; Academy Award · Best Original Score · win
- Production trivia
- It is the first Pixar film to feature a black lead.; The film's score was composed by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for metaphysical segments and Jon Batiste for New York segments.; The design of the 'Jerry' counselors was inspired by the 1971 Italian animated series La Linea.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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