By: Grace Kaiser
Joe Gardener is an average “Joe”. He is a middle school music teacher that just wants to play piano. A struggling jazz musician, he vies to get gigs anywhere he can. So when he gets a gig at a famous venue, he is so ecstatic that he falls into a sewer; this is where the story begins.
Soul, directed by Pete Docter and written by Pete Doctor, Mike Jones, and Kemp Powers, shows the good in life, and that even when you think you’re nothing, if you look around you, you will find happiness. The story stars Jamie Foxx as Joe Gardener and Tina Fey as soul #22. The movie explores 22’s depression and belief that they will equate to nothing, and Joe’s realization that life can be whatever you want it to be.
The movie’s showcases music, pizza, and family: the most important parts of life. Jazz is something that most people don’t listen to, but Soul brings it to life, and makes you want to listen more. Pizza is a food so common and overlooked, but the movie shows people realizing the true happiness that pizza can bring. Family is something taken for granted by many, and we’re reminded here that they always want the best for you, even if you don’t agree with them. The movie also touches on depression just enough to understand it and make an impact, but not enough where kids will struggle to understand it.Soul is a movie that I highly recommend for all age groups. It has some easy comedy for younger viewers, and some heavier concepts for older. If you’re looking for a fun, entertaining family movie, then Soul is for you.
