Directed by Pete Docter – the director behind Monsters, Inc (2001), Up (2009), and Inside Out (2015), Soul is a computer-animated film that tells the story of a Black musician named Joe Gardener who is currently a music instructor but aspires to become a professional jazz musician. During a disappointing music lesson, he was informed that he was now a full-time employee with benefits. Later, when Joe’s old student offers him the chance to perform with jazz icon Dorothea Williams (Angela Bassett) on stage because his job doesn’t allow it, he jumps at the chance to follow his passion and gives an impressive audition that gets him the job.
After having a near-death experience and becoming trapped in the afterlife, he reflects on his decisions and regrets the life he had taken for granted. Joe ends up unconscious in a hospital after falling into an open manhole. He struggles to accept it and joins the aid of his new mentee, 22. Although helping 22 in ways her past mentors couldn’t, Joe teaches her that your spark isn’t always your destiny as they work to return Joe’s soul to his original body. Although 22 remains an unconcerned soul who has only been sent to earth against her will, Joe Gardner aspires to atone for himself on earth so that he can return to his normal human form.
The theme shows how Joe and 22 approach life in different ways—with one embracing it and the other showing no interest. Whenever a character has their first taste of life and starts to understand why it is important to live, it becomes an eye-opener for them. Yet, the film does depict what occurs when individuals lose that meaning and get fixated on something that doesn’t improve their lives or provide them with any sense of fulfilment.
Soul also teaches that there aren’t always clear-cut choices or solutions in life. You are going to constantly find something new to pursue and you are going to keep doing that. Whenever you make a choice, it always leads you down unexpected routes because life moves forward and never stops.
Soul was nominated for three awards at the 93rd Academy Awards, winning two, including Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Score) and Best Animated Feature Film.
