Movies connect us in ways further than we realize. When someone you just met has some of the favorite movies you do as well, conversations can unfold for hours. Certain scenes and lines teach us lessons, things we may have known but never realized. These realizations about the world and/or ourselves from movies can shape our lives
From “The Sound of Music”’s hill to Harry Potter meeting Hagrid for the first time to La La Land’s planetarium scene, movies will forever hold a special place in my life since I was young. So while I may hold a bias to the beauty of movies, I am here to tell you, you have to watch the movie “Soul.”
“Soul” features the main character Joe Gardner, a middle school band teacher who gets the chance of a lifetime, his dream, to play at the best jazz club. It is as if his whole life was for this moment. But one mishap takes him from New York City to the Great Before-a fantastical place where new souls get their personalities, quirks, and interests before they go to Earth. Joe is determined to get back to his life and as he shows what is great about living he discovers what life is really about. It is hard to describe without ruining the beauty of the film, so I urge you to watch the movie with an open mind and patience.
Through the whimsical magic of Pixar’s animation, a touch of humor, and symbolism through a child-oriented film, “Soul” answers the hardest question, what is the meaning of life? What is living? It touched my soul through the visuals, but lighting up my nostalgic memories in my core. Honestly, I felt some feeling of hope and trust in the process again. And it had been awhile.
In the past year, and especially as college students, who we are and what we want to becomes increasingly pressing. As classes become a task rather than an interest, screen time increases, mental health progress moves backwards- strung by the questioning of myself. What are my passions? What do I love? Honestly, what am I even doing?
Joe Gardner in Soul’s life’s “purpose” has been to play jazz. Yet, he is a middle school teacher. When he reaches that “purpose” it feels as if that purpose remains. Lifes questions, an individual’s souls, sparks, purpose, and overarching feelings somehow encounter Joe and viewers of “Soul” in the span of this Pixar movie
I won’t spoil the movie (I greatly dislike spoilers and I couldn’t even try to mirror the way Pixar does in the film), but I will leave you with these ideas. We chase and work towards so many things; jobs, the idea of success, grades, graduating, relationships, and a purpose. But what about the beauty right now in the sun shining through the trees outside? With our friends as we soak the last moments of whatever our youth may be. Or the multiple interests that spark us inside every time. Even when we are sitting with ourselves looking out the window at the passing people the simplicity of the present moment can be so beautiful.
“Soul” has altered the filter on the world around me and I urge everyone to watch it. Moments in the film touch your soul and emotion in deep ways that we need to feel. It’s almost astounding how real the movie can make you feel. Soul reminds us what life truly is, why we are here, and that even when things don’t go by plan it can be beautiful.
Photos: Her Campus Media