The Soul of “Soul”

The new Disney film Soul is a nice way to spend time. The Jazz-themed animated Pixar movie is not one of their best. But, hey, how many films like Finding Nemo and Ratatouille can a studio produce? Oh wait, there is Mulan. Too bad they tried that one again.

Soul Skeptic

I approached the movie as a Soul skeptic. One reason is that I am not fond of Jazz. Being an aging metal head and punk rock fan it is surprising I don’t care for Jazz. But there you have it. I have tried more than once.

There were no surprises at the beginning of the movie. A would-be musical star is given the opportunity to settle for a less than glorious full-time teaching position with all the amenities, perks, and security it offers. Joe Gardner, voiced by Jamie Foxx is in his “time-to-grow-up” moment. His mother is pleased. He is not. Then he finds out there is one last shot for the big time. He auditions and lands the job only to meet with a fatal accident.

The Point

I saw Heaven Can Wait and other variations on this plot. What is the meaning of life? I don’t know. Let’s see what your life meant? Not happy with it? Too bad. The plot takes Joe into the afterworld so he can see what his life may have been. Joe assumes, as the viewers are led to believe, that the secret to life is to fulfill one’s own purpose. The “spark” or purpose in life is received in the pre-existence. Life on earth is about first finding that purpose and committing wholly to it. Unfortunately, Joe either failed to do this or was robbed of his chance.

Joe attempts to get his opportunity back. His return to earth is part of a mishap. Joe learns that his potential was lost in pursuit of his purpose. His life was about music and chasing his dreams. But, there was a lot he missed even though he understood what his spark was.

Misleading Plot Twist

The viewer does not understand why the story does not work until much later in it. The “spark” of life is not the purpose of life after all. It is about enjoying living for its own sake. The lesson is embodied (pun intended) by a soul from the preexistence named “22.” 22 has yet to find her spark until she finds it while inhabiting Joe’s body. Who saw that coming? Everyone.

What Is Soul?

What exactly is a soul? Joe’s soul is a blob that wears his glasses and hat and speaks with his voice. The soul is his essence. But, that is not how it works out. Joe’s existential life is lived by 22 for a brief time. While in his body, she possesses his voice, bad eyesight, memories, and knowledge. But, she does not remember basic living. She discovers it. But Joe interprets it wrongly.

Can there be a real discussion on the meaning of life without a definition of the soul? Of course, there can be. Souls are unobservable, speculative constructs. The word “soul” can be used in the discussion to mean just about anything inexplicable about a human being. But, if we believe in the soul, are we bodies with souls or souls with bodies? In Soul, we understand the soul is what gives a body animation. Joe’s body is dying until 22 becomes the soul inhabiting it. However, one’s personality is based on one’s experiences which 22 finds in Joe’s brain. So the title Soul is a play on words for the context of the story.

Watching Soul

This film is watchable even with the misleading plot emphasis on finding purpose to make life worthwhile. The emphasis is that one does not find happiness chasing dreams. A person finds happiness in the moment. Obsessing over making life meaningful is the way living souls become lost. Soul is funny in many ways. Just don’t take the “lesson” to heart. There isn’t any.