Heart and Souls (1993) User Reviews

Nice Combination!

[ccthemovieman-1 · 8/10 · 1 October 2006]

This was another winner in a fantastic year for movies: 1993. In fact, there were so many good movies in this year that films like this were buried.

If you can just ignore the typically off-the-wall Hollywood version of death and heaven and just enjoy the wonderfully-sentimental and humorous fantasy- romance-drama story, you'll be very entertained.

The story is nicely told, entertaining start-to-finish in its 103 minutes. It really takes off after Robert Downey Jr. has become an adult and the "spirits" return to him.

As much humor as in here, in addition to fantasy and drama, the final 15-20 minutes are tear-jerking.

STIRRING!!!

[nifabs · 7/10 · 5 October 2003]

Robert Downey Jnr & the supporting talent have made this sheer magic and a thrill to relive whenever it's shown.

The plots soars and soars and finally settles firmly in rediscovery. The four lost souls drift about not knowing their purpose though firmly tied to RDJ but they are without cause when they finally discover their unfulfilled purpose, they manage to use their their one earthly link to try and accomplish all they had unfinished on earth.

Robert Downey Jnr sails ahead of the story and cast and it takes the wit, earthiness, sass and charm of Sizemore,Grodin,Woodward and Sedgwick respectively to keep up with him which they do without dominating or underplaying their roles.

The underlying themes of repentance for Sizemore, personal victory for Grodin, rediscovery & bonding for Woodward and self forgiveness and sacrifice for Sedgwick are beautifully visited so much so that you're unaware of the depth till the the credits start rolling.

The final scene was a fitting climax for this simple but deeply stirring movie.

Never leave till tomorrow what you may able to do today,always live your dreams and follow your destiny but do so with your feet terra firma!!!

Hearts And Souls scores soundly : 9/10

This movie will probably always be in my top 5!

[malibu-7 · 6 February 2003]

This movie has it all. I loved it the first time I saw it and still do every time I see it. The casting was perfect and the actors all have a wonderful chemistry together. I will never get tired of watching certain scenes, like the (last) stamp scene with Milo, when Penny realizes who the cop is and when Thomas hugs the cop (hilarious!!), when Thomas sings finally, when Milo has to say goodbye, there are just so many great scenes in this movie. And Robert Downey, Jr. just does a tremendous job - he is so talented. When the four spirits enter his body (at different times), it's amazing how well he portrays each one with such accuracy (especially as Penny), like he's really that person. The humor never misses a beat. This movie will probably always be in my top 5!!

Gimmick movie made worthwhile by excellent acting ensemble

[moonspinner55 · 7/10 · 27 May 2006]

Four spirits don't know why they're inexplicably tied to a baby boy, born on the night they perished in a bus accident in 1959 San Francisco; jump ahead 30 years, and the ghosts learn the now-grown man may be able to help them redeem their collective pasts with a mix of mortal and supernatural help. Highly commercial fanciful-comedy is slick but not particularly hilarious or moving, mostly just busy--very busy--with little sub-plots swirling around and everybody chattering at once. Yet the casting here is fabulous, and each player gets a chance to shine: baritone Charles Grodin (seldom without his hat) missed his chance to give a public performance; mom Alfre Woodard lost touch with her children; waitress Kyra Sedgwick left her beau hanging; and Tom Sizemore, in the film's best plot, is a thief anxious to return some valuable stamps. In the center of the happy chaos is Robert Downey, Jr., not the most subtle actor around but certainly nimble enough to tackle this physical role (he reminds one of Steve Martin in "All of Me", but this is a better picture). Good-looking, cheerful, satisfying movie doesn't have the time nor the room to flesh out a romantic sidebar with Elisabeth Shue, but that's OK because the spirits are the stars this time around. *** from ****

Enchanting tale of man "possessed" by friendly spirits

[mdm-11 · 10/10 · 10 October 2004]

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!

Those Dear Departed

[sol- · 7/10 · 10 February 2017]

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.

One of the Most Adorable Films of the 90's

[claudio_carvalho · 9/10 · 19 January 2012]

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")

Sweet Sentimental and a Lesson to Be Learned for the Living!

[Sylviastel · 7/10 · 10 September 2008]

In this film, you have four very different characters including a single African American mother, Penny Washington, played by the fabulous Alfre Woodard, a country girl, Julia, who comes to the city to find herself and has to choose a life between being with her beloved boyfriend and his 75 acres in the country played by Kyra Sedgwick, Harrison, a classically trained singer who fails to sing at auditions because of his fear of failure played nicely by Charles Grodin, and criminal Milo Peck who wants to correct one of his stolen properties to it's rightful owner. They all board a bus driven by David Paymer and the bus crashes killing all of them while at the same time there is a baby boy, Thomas Riley, born into the world. The boy spends his early years talking and playing with the walls but he really is playing with the spirits who talk and interact with him. They don't know why they are with them. After thirty years, they have to go to their next assignment but they have make amends. First, they have to convince Thomas Riley played by Robert Downey Jr. as an adult that he's not going crazy or seeing things but they are actually real.

Steals Your Heart; Pierces Your Soul

[Jerique · 9/10 · 23 January 2010]

We open up the film with an introduction to Thomas Riley's soon-to-be-parents preparing for going into labour. We are then introduced to Harrison (Charles Grodin; Beethoven), a singer who has the heart and wisdom, but gets stage fright because he can't handle crowds.

We then meet Penny (Alfre Woodard; The Forgotten), a mom, struggling to find time to spend valued time with her kids between working. Following Penny is Julie (Kyra Sedgwick; "The Closer") who is working as a waitress but desperately loves her boyfriend, but passes on the chance to run away with him.

Harrison gets stage fright in his audition, Penny goes off for work, and Julie goes after her boyfriend to tell him that she is on board. They all get on the same bus, as we are introduced to Milo. Milo (Tom Sizemore: Saving Private Ryan), has stolen a kids stamps and got $50 for them, but at the thought of being a bad guy, Milo tries to steal them back. Milo fails and resorts to taking the bus along with Julie, Penny, and Harrison.

The driver of the bus gets distracted and runs off the road and kills himself and all 4 passengers. When they rise above as souls, they are dragged to the new born baby, Thomas Riley. For 7 years, they hang with Thomas, but have no idea why. When his parents and social workers believe Thomas has mental problems, they go invisible on the kid.

30 years pass and Thomas (Robert Downey Jr.; Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) is a grown man. Finally, the bus driver comes down to get them. When he arrives, the 4 souls aren't too happy to see him. He tells them what they were supposed to do. Using Thomas to complete their unfinished lives, one-by-one they all leave.

The cast itself is A-list. And the story is simply an amazing fairy tale style. With the amount of comedy and emotion that was in this movie, if you don't laugh or cry, you may need to check yourself for a soul.

There is a large "Walk Like A Man" and "Star Spangled Banner" musical number. It's a great family film. And even if you're not a kid, you'll love it as an adult and even the teens will too.

Plus it has some really great acting and special effects. Nothing wrong about this one folks.

Enjoyable, if rushed.

[Pinky-6 · 7/10 · 5 December 1998]

Heart and Souls is about a boy with invisible friends that happen to be ghosts, who died at the moment he was born. Only he can see or hear them. This movie is quite good, and Downey, Jr. is lovable in it, as are his ghosts. Be warned, there is one scene that, if you don't like seeing little boys abandoned and bawling, you will sob your head off, like I did. Unfortunately, H&S ends extremely fast, on the plot pretense of a time limit, but you know the studio ordered it edited and to a shorter length, but it still is a lovely movie. Rent it one weekend, enjoy.

What were they thinking?

[twalchusky · 3/10 · 15 September 2002]

Being I am open minded to pretty much all kinds of movies. This movie had to be one of the worst films i ever seen. The question is WHY on earth would someone make a movie like this? Maybe, it was funny back in the day when it was made. But being 2002 its definitley outdated. And what exactly is it with the singing?? hello? Granted its a "clean film" without the sex, violence, and F-bombs that plague over 80% of movies today, but it is really sad when I find and Adam Sandler movie funnier then this. Even the movie OSCAR (with Sly Stallone) was funnier then this piece of rubbish.

My all-time favorite

[nancy-46 · 27 February 2002]

Heart and Souls would have to be the most heart-warming, funny, tear-jerking, feel-good movie of all time. I can't understand why no-one I know has heard of it till I rave about it and insist they watch it. After several viewings I feel that Julia, Harrison, Penny and Milo are people I know and care about, and as for Robert Downey Jr, every time I watch it I pray that he straightens out his own life, such a waste of talent to be in and out of jail. Heart and Souls ranks up there, for me, with Baghdad Cafe, Five Easy Pieces and Wings of Desire.

RDJ does some big time acting

[SnoopyStyle · 6/10 · 31 January 2015]

It's 1959 San Francisco. Penny Washington (Alfre Woodard) leaves her three children to work the night shift. Harrison Winslow (Charles Grodin) abandons his singing audition. Julia (Kyra Sedgwick) turns down her boyfriend's proposal. Petty thief Milo Peck (Tom Sizemore) tries to get back some stamps that he stole from a boy. They all get on the same bus that crashes into the Reillys on their way to the hospital. She is forced to give birth on the side of the road. The four bus passengers are stranded as ghosts in the world connected to baby Thomas Reilly. The kid gets in trouble and the ghosts agree to stay invisible for the good of Thomas. Thomas (Robert Downey Jr.) grows up to be a ruthless corporate banker. His girlfriend Anne (Elisabeth Shue) asks him to meet her parents. The bus driver comes back to pick them up. The ghosts are suppose to resolve their one issue but no angel came to explain it. So he gives them some additional time to finish.

RDJ gets to do some big time acting pretending to be the four other characters. There is just too many stories to go through. It's not as funny as it wants to be. The ghosts leaving one at a time makes it feel anti-climatic. The story feels like it's slowly fading away. It would be better if they have a ticking clock and the ghosts stick together for the whole movie. It's a good movie for RDJ fans.

This movie has a magical quality I can't put my finger on.

[abstudent26416 · 10/10 · 19 January 2004]

I especially liked the roles of Penny Washington (Alfre Woodard) and Thomas at age 7 (Eric Lloyd). It was such a warm movie with so many endearing qualities that I was drawn to it and hooked once I saw it, so much that I watched it four times in two days. It's a "feel good" movie with no lag in action; all the actors portrayed their characters well.

One of my all-time favorites!

[reinders1 · 9/10 · 14 April 2006]

Just call me a sentimental sap, but This one is one of my favorite movies. Robert Downey Jr., Alfre Woodard, Kyra Sedgwick, Charles Grodin, Elisabeth Shue, Tome Sizemore, Dave Paymer where all excellent! What a Great combination! I saw this movie before my youngest son was born and it made such a lasting impression on me that it caused me to make bedtime rituals with him (Prayer, and what he calls his Lu-Lu's (a song We made up)). I've seen this movie maybe a half dozen times and stop and wait any time I see that it's on TV. THis movie made me a Robert Downey Jr. fan, and it made me a little more sympathetic to his personal issues. I'm happy to see that he may have finally turned the corner on his recovery.

The Vidiot Reviews...

[capone666 · 6/10 · 11 November 2010]

Heart and Souls

Since kids can talk to ghosts, we should get them to ask our deceased relatives where they hid all of those rare silver dollars.

Unfortunately, the lost souls haunting the little boy in this comedy are the ones who are asking him for salvation.

Twenty-five years after the four spirits (Charles Grodin, Kyra Sedgwick, Tom Sizemore, Alfre Woodard) that were bound to him after they died in a bus crash disappeared, the now grown up and callous Thomas (Robert Downey Jr.) is surprised to find them asking for his help. In exchange, they assist him with wooing his frustrated girlfriend (Elisabeth Shue).

While not enough time is spent on exploring each of the wannabe-angels unfinished business, Heart and Souls is ultimately an amusing anecdote about removing remorse from your eternal records.

Furthermore, it exposes the prejudiced nature of the afterlife: Rich, white kids can afford to have multiple guardian angels. (Yellow Light)

There sure is good heart in Heart & Souls

[ramsri007 · 9/10 · 4 September 2015]

This fantasy romantic com kept me in splits. Wow! what a lovely feeling. I never even knew this movie existed until I read Downey's biography.

Downey plays Thomas whose head is spins from the realization that he can see 4 souls around him. For him they are real but, not for others. This leads to comic & absurd situations. He realizes that to get things back to way there were, he's going to have to bend a little to make room for the souls around him . The movie is about how the souls fulfill their last unfinished business by using Thomas as their medium & how Thomas reconciles with his true love.

This one should not have been a big deal for Downey to pull off. It's a fun movie with almost no costume change or change in his look. All he had to do was act and give his best and sure he did. His comic timing is terrific. It is a character-driven film about sacrifice, about making things right, to live life and find happiness.

This one is a family movie, yes, you can watch it with no qualms! Message: Follow your heart and live your life.

Sometimes funny but most of the time silly...

[dwpollar · 4/10 · 7 February 2002]

1st watched 2/7/2002 - 4 out of 10(Dir-Ron Underwood): Sometimes funny but most of the time silly with not one but count them- four souls trapped down here to finish off some good work that needed to be done before they went to the afterlife(I think we've heard this before). The difference is that they had to manipulate and enter this one person's body and he(Downey Jr.) has to accomplish the good deeds. The best parts in this movie are when Downey Jr. is acting out the other character's and there is a funny scene that turns into a musical number using the song "Walk Like a Man." But besides this there isn't much else. Downey Jr. deserves better than this. None of his co-stars seem too into this picture and it shows in their performances. Granted what they have in a script doesn't help and the direction could have been better. This is yet another forgotten romantic-comedy that wastes it's talents.

Very emotional.

[CriticsVoiceVideo · 10/10 · 12 June 2021]

Two hearts, four souls, and second chances. Absolutely beautiful, uplifting, heart breaking movie. A must see! Great all around.

Sweet, Goodhearted, and a Pleasant Surprise.

[MovieAddict2016 · 8/10 · 2 April 2003]

"Hearts and Souls" is a pleasant and thoroughly enjoyable romantic comedy that I really didn't expect when I first watched the film years ago.

Robert Downey, Jr. plays a young man whose life is going very well: he's engaged to Elisabeth Shue, he's got a lot of money working as a lawyer or such...until some old friends of his drop in--imaginary friends, that is. Sort of. Dead imaginary friends that only he can see.

Many years ago, some people boarded a bus, including Charles Grodin and Tom Sizemore. The bus flipped over a bridge and everyone died, going to heaven. But then they came back down involuntarily to Downey as a child and stayed with him for a few years. Every time they tried to leave him, they were pulled back to him. Until he was about eight, then they somehow managed to leave because they were influencing his schoolwork and life (I don't remember how they got out of it). Now they're back to haunt him again, because they need him to help get to heaven.

I haven't seen this movie in a few years, so I'm a bit rusty on the plot summary, but I remember that I found it enjoyable and sweet. There aren't any big complexities here, just some good old fashioned fun.

Robert Downey, Jr. is convincing in his role, as is the rest of the cast. I've liked Charles Grodin and Tom Sizemore for quite some time, and they got to show off their talent here. Too bad Grodin left the showbiz scene, because I really did enjoy him in films. He wasn't over the top of crazy: he seemed very normal, and played very normal characters ("Beethoven," "Midnight Run").

I think that this is the perfect example of romantic comedies that have both wit and respect for the audience. In a time of cheap teen flicks and so-called romantic comedies, the rare FUNNY romantic comedy that comes along is usually very good ("When Harry Met Sally," "Sleepless in Seattle," "While You Were Sleeping," "As Good as it Gets," etc.). While "Heart and Souls" isn't a great romantic comedy, it's above average, and definitely recommendable.

3.5/5 Stars

Positive and upbeat. Clean and refreshing.

[Michael-154 · 9/10 · 8 March 1999]

This is a great family flick. In an era of filth, this is a welcome relief. I could watch this with my 12-year old daughter and not feel embarrassed. I could recommend this to my pastor or my 80+ year old mother without fear. Great ensemble cast -- actors who could sustain a movie on their own. Fun to watch; Tugs aat your heart strings.

Very moving...

[little_miss_minx84 · 19 March 2002]

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I laughed at its funny bits and cried in the sad bits. Robert Downey Jnr was excellent as the leading character and the bus passengers provided some light relief. Everyone should have friends like these! Marvellous!

Lift up your spirits!

[M1racl3sHapp3n · 8/10 · 8 November 2020]

If you are in the mood for a good old fashion comedy, look no further. The acting is outstanding, you have to watch to understand. This comedy reminded me of the good old movies we had in the 1950s: no vulgarity, no sex references, no offensive language. A great family movie with a profound message: don't waste your life!

Wonderful spiritual tale!

[paulouscan · 9/10 · 25 January 2011]

The film is almost a movie theme, as it addresses the dimension of the afterlife, life after death. It is based on numerous accounts of experienced people who have had contact with spiritual beings without bodies who had actually lived shortly before as human beings. As the arbitrary and irrational authoritarian influence of religions was released off our societies, western world ones first and then worldwide, we saw these previously taboo stories emerge in the sets of the modern world. The phenomenon of the medium itself, that human being capable to pose as intermediary, "channel" between dead people, in any case without physical bodies perceptible to our five senses, and us, human beings of flesh and bone and many other things, has become a landmark of progress of science. Rigid attitudes of allegedly "scientific" refusal do not resist anymore to facts which are multiplying, and science can now say that it does not understand these realities, they are just mysteries, but not hallucinations or bullshit anymore. Too many duly documented, official, even legally sworn about witnessings have piled up in the files of our governments. So this film is both a joyful comedy and a message of tolerance, and it pitches its scenario into our arms and makes us share what human life looks like when it is in touch with this new dimension on a natural daily basis. It also touches on this phase of childhood where so many parents have oppressed, consciously or by blind faith, the natural occurrence of this communication with the afterlife on the part of their children playing with these "imaginary friends", as they say. .. Excellent performance, great achievement, not always easy to make. A must see!