Heart and Souls (1993)

55% of critics liked it
(22 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(18,694 ratings)

Director Ron Underwood follows up his crowd-pleasing hit City Slickers (1991) with this likable, feel-good comedy drama about a selfish businessman who discovers that he's permanently being followed by a group of ghosts. In 1959, a bus accident links the spirits of four fatally injured passengers to… More Director Ron Underwood follows up his crowd-pleasing hit City Slickers (1991) with this likable, feel-good comedy drama about a selfish businessman who discovers that he's permanently being followed by a group of ghosts. In 1959, a bus accident links the spirits of four fatally injured passengers to a newborn baby whose birth is caused by the crash. For 25 years, Milo (Tom Sizemore), Harrison (Charles Grodin), Penny (Alfre Woodard) and Julia (Kyra Sedgwick) remain bound to Thomas Reilly (Robert Downey Jr.), who believes the quartet to be imaginary childhood friends that have long since disappeared. When the four spooks suddenly realize that they are meant to use Thomas as a conduit to bring closure to their unfinished corporeal lives, they reemerge, causing Thomas to think that he's gone insane. As he becomes reattached to his supernatural companions, however, Thomas' innate decency asserts itself and he begins helping them to right the wrongs in their lives, allowing them to possess his body to achieve their goal of settling accounts and moving on into the afterlife. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 44 min.
Directed By: Ron Underwood
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 13, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Nov 17, 1998
Studio: MCA Universal Home Video

Critic Reviews

Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
I have remained fond of Heart and Souls, despite its annoying power to leave not a dry eye in the house.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Nice ensemble fantasy-comedy with Robert Downey.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
A terrific cast helps to make less-than terrific material work.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
Sappy and overly sentimental. I still liked it, for some reason.
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
A touching, sentimental little piece of fluff.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...will likely leave you smiling throughout.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone, TheMovieChicks.com
Touches your heart and soul.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A delightful fantasy romp that compels us to consider what one action it would take to make our lives complete.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Another one of those syrupy "supernatural love" comedies. Pass.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Conner R

Probably the most bizarre normal movie i've ever come in contact with. It has some truly nutty and flat out weird moments, but when you have a ghost premise it all becomes subjective as to what you should expect. Robert Downey Jr. really doesn't get the credit he deserves… More
Probably the most bizarre normal movie i've ever come in contact with. It has some truly nutty and flat out weird moments, but when you have a ghost premise it all becomes subjective as to what you should expect. Robert Downey Jr. really doesn't get the credit he deserves for his multiple performances. Not only does he play a very great mid-nineties yuppie, but equally convincing interpretations of the four ghosts. His middle aged black lady is my favorite, but sexed up Kyra Sedgwick is almost just as good. The story is totally unique, no other ghost movie really tries to do what this did. It presents the idea of an unfinished life in a way that makes the viewer want to take advantage of the time they have.
Randy T

Robert Downey, Jr. Lyte. A cute but unexceptional offering from the director of <i>Tremors</i> and <i>City Slickers</i>.
Leigh R

Funny and so moving in the end. Great cast and, did I mention, funny.
Jason S

A good flick. The comedy is there and all the characters work well together. Downey is fun
Dean M

I love this sentimental fantasy follows the misadventures of Robert Downey Jr., who, at the moment of his birth, is "adopted" by a quartet of ghosts. Really exciting and funny while Downey Jr. is able to communication with four spirits who are asking for help.
Lafe F

Foregettable film, which is actually quite good! Robert Downey has four ghost friends from a crashed bus in the 1950's - they need to get his life together before they can move on to the afterlife. It's touching and interesting to watch.
Cindy I

A little sappy and weepy, but not bad. Robert Downey Jr is always good, but this is a little too chick flick for me.
Steve K

Downey is incredibly good in this.
danny d

really good movie, heartfelt story of redemption
Jason R

A really feel-good movie with one of the oddest and greatest collection of actors I have ever seen. There is also a cameo by B.B. King in a really great scene with Downey Jr.
Jessica v

A surprisingly sweet and "soulful" comedy. Sure, it holds some of the classic cliche's, but I can't help but love this one. So many lovable, memorable characters... maybe I'm just in an overly sentimental mood. Great laughs here along with a few tears.… More
A surprisingly sweet and "soulful" comedy. Sure, it holds some of the classic cliche's, but I can't help but love this one. So many lovable, memorable characters... maybe I'm just in an overly sentimental mood. Great laughs here along with a few tears. Yeah. I'm feeling *reaaaaaally* mushy. <sigh>

Read all 11 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Robert Downey Jr. as Thomas Reilly

            Charles Grodin as Harrison Winslow

            Alfre Woodard as Penny Washington

            Kyra Sedgwick as Julia

            Tom Sizemore as Milo Peck

            David Paymer as Hal the Bus Driver

            Elisabeth Shue as Anne

            Eric Lloyd as Thomas Reilly--Age 7

            Bill Calvert as Mr. Frank Reilly

            Lisa Lucas as Mrs. Eva Reilly

            Richard Portnow as Max Marco

            Wren T. Brown as Sgt. Wm. Barclay

            John Durbin as Stage Manager

            Tony Genaro as Man at Farmhouse

            John Goodwin as Security Guard

            Michael Halton as Motorcycle Cop

            Ed Hooks as Jim

            Ernie Hudson as Barry

            B.B. King as Himself

            Janet MacLachlan as Agnes Miller

            George Maguire (II) as Music Director

            Bob Newhart
            
            Sean O'Bryan as John McBride

            Eric Poppick as Mr. Polito

            Richard Roat as Anne's Dad

            Janet Rotblatt as Mrs. Brodsky

            Kurtwood Smith as Jeffrey Patterson

            Lorinne Vozoff as Anne's Mom

            Luana Anders as Records Bureaucrat

            Marc Shaiman as Piano Accompanist

            Janette Caldwell as Woman in Cadillac

            Chasiti Hampton as Shirley Washington age 7

            Will Nye as Frank's Football Buddy

            Pam Dixon Mickelson
            
            George Maguire (I)
            
See full cast

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