Soul Parent Guide

Rarely has a movie been so well timed – a story packed with existential questions that lands smack in the middle of a global pandemic. Soul, with its exploration of the purpose of life, opens at a time of soaring covid death rates which have led people around the world to ask themselves what they believe about life, death, and the meaning of it all.

As is Pixar’s wont, the cosmic queries come wrapped up in an engaging story. The protagonist, Joe Gardner (voiced by Jamie Foxx), is an inspiring junior high school music teacher who dreams of becoming a professional jazz pianist. On the day when it looks like his dreams have all come true, Joe falls through an open manhole cover. Finding himself on the eternal escalator to the Great Beyond, Joe is overwhelmed with rebellion – “I’m not dying the very day I get my shot!” Desperate to get back to earth and his passion for jazz, Joe leaps into space…and finds himself in the Great Before.

Through a series of misunderstandings and some chicanery on Joe’s part, he winds up as a mentor to Soul #22 (voiced by Tina Fey) , who has spent thousands of years trying to find her “spark” – the overriding interest that will propel her to and through life on earth. As Joe tries to help #22 find a reason to live, he goes on a voyage of discovery through his own life, seeing it (literally) with new eyes.

With Soul, Pixar has produced a masterpiece of a film – but one that might not be suitable for your kids. Sensitive youngsters or those who are frightened by death might find this movie, with its frequent mention of death, distressing. Older or more matter-of-fact kids will be fine and will enjoy the show. As for adults, Soul is a home run. The movie is warm, witty, and clever, with jokes that older viewers will love. (“You can’t crush a soul here. That’s what life on earth’s for.”) The story also acknowledges the challenges we all face as we try to identify our passions, our gifts, and our purpose for living.

Soul might or might not jive with your theological or philosophical views, but I wouldn’t make that the determining factor as to whether or not you watch the movie. Although the script has a clear setting (the Great Before), it is deliberately vague about any kind of religious associations. This is exactly the kind of film that provides a great starting point for discussions with our kids about what they believe about life and death; what they see as their interests and passions; what really matters to them. If we can force ourselves to simply sit back and listen, we can learn a lot about our kids after watching a production like this. And what more can we want from a family movie night?