Film Review: 'Soul'
Pixar’s “Soul” (2021) is a love letter to life. Aspiring jazz musician Joe Gardner, voiced by Jamie Foxx, is a middle-aged middle school band teacher with dreams of playing piano in a professional group. He auditions for acclaimed saxophonist Dorothea Willams, voiced by Angela Bassett, and gets the gig. He’s ecstatic for his big break -- until he falls into an open man-hole and nearly dies. His body in a coma, Joe’s soul travels to the Great Conveyor Belt leading to the Great Beyond. Devastated with his misfortune, he escapes the conveyor belt to death and sneaks into the Great Before where souls prepare for life. Joe befriends a cynical soul named 22, voiced by Tina Fey, in an effort to return to Earth in time to play his show. In a reconnection effort gone wrong, 22 is dropped into Joe’s body while Joe is trapped in a hospital therapy cat.
Disney’s history of racial stereotyping made me a critical viewer and although reviews were overwhelmingly positive.
Joe Gardner is a new kind of protagonist for Pixar, a single, middle-aged African-American man. He’s an unconventional star, but his genuine charm has its intended effect and instantly charms the audience. Don’t get me wrong, Pixar is no stranger to telling stories about grownups bettering themselves, take “Finding Nemo”(2003), “Incredibles”(2004), or “UP”(2008), but including main characters of color has been a Pixar rarity until “Coco”(2017). Joe doesn’t have a typical plot either, similar to “Inside Out”(2015), it’s a journey of self-revelation: there is no romantic partner, child, parent, or friend to make him whole; he’ll have to find out how to be fulfilled himself.
I’d say “Soul” delivers the most daring visuals of Pixar’s history, not only in quality but also with risk-taking abstract moments. Answering questions like what is a soul, where do we come from, why am I here, what happens when we die, and what does it mean to be in the zone. It’s a challenging feat. I would argue drawing them is even harder. Joe travels throughout the spiritual plane and New York City to places like the Great Beyond, the Great Before, The Zone, the subway, jazz clubs and barbershops. The animators knew when to keep it cute, mysterious, imposing, cozy or infinite. It’s a testament to the animators that Disney and Pixar always improve from their previous films. Colors pop on and off Earth, and the vast enormity of New York and the spiritual plane are featured like never before.
Grammy nominated-artist Jon Batiste is a standout star as the film's jazz composer and pianist. While Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross write a beautiful soundtrack, the producers of “Soul” wisely found jazz professionals to bring authenticity to the film. Batiste is joined by Herbie Hancock, Daveed Diggs, Questlove and others to properly celebrate America’s music on screen. Although I don’t have experience with the jazz genre, the music was enchanting and I could feel every moment of Joe’s passion for the art. Everything about this score makes me want to abandon all reason and simply pursue artistic passions. It made me yearn for little jazz clubs like “Soul”s Half Note. Batiste does a stellar job, and the film’s jazz album and soundtrack album are available for purchase.
Disney’s history of racial stereotyping made me a critical viewer and although reviews were overwhelmingly positive, “Soul” fell into the “Princess and the Frog”(2009) pitfall: Joe was trapped in a non-human body for a vast majority of the film. Similar to African-American princess Tiana, who spends her movie as a frog, Joe is a blue soul and a cat for most of the film; it undercuts the studio’s diversity efforts. Disney and Pixar send a message that black characters can have movies, but not in their own skin.
Gizmodo writer Charles Pulliam-Moore succinctly articulates “Soul”s the weakest element; 22 is voiced by a white woman and as she navigates Joe’s life and community, she finds herself connecting with people more than Joe seems to. Joe must look on from his cat body as 22 charms his students, friends, and family. It looks an awful lot like a white savior plot. Although the story is effective in forcing Joe to reckon with his interpersonal relationships from an outside perspective, many criticize the casting of a middle-aged white woman voicing 22. Did this casting decision taint the film’s otherwise inclusive ethos? Survey says yes.
“Soul”s poignant message, quick wit, and beautiful execution will appeal to any age group. It can be found now on Disney+.
