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| Movie Review: Cold Souls Alternate Title: The Unbearable Heaviness of Being
Story: If you like your films
with a heaping amount of the unexpected and a plot that causes you to
think than you might want to check out this new film by director and
writer, Sophie Barthes. The main idea is that your soul is an organ just like, let's say, your
pancreas and if it is causing you distress it can be removed, stored
or traded with little fuss. Our protagonist, Paul Giamatti (played by
a neurotic Paul Giamatti) is going through some trying times as he stars
in Chekhov's Uncle Vanya. He decides to unburden himself of
his soul so he can get on with his life. Not surprisingly, this decision
does not come without consequences. It turns out there is a Russian
underground soul trafficking organization and his soul gets stolen while
in storage. The film has some good laughs and also some thought provoking questions.
It is filmed with an eye for the chilly and filled with interesting
characters. The problem however is that the initial concept quickly
runs out of steam. This soul train sadly ends up on the wrong track. Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc5xdI5FPq8 Acting: Paul Giamatti is, as always, terrific. Dina
Korzun as the Russian soul mule is very interesting. Emily
Watson's talent as the woeful wife is totally wasted. David
Strathairn as the soul doctor gives his usual great performance. Trivia: Paul Edward Valentine Giamatti was born in1967. He
graduated from Choate prep school, majored in English at Yale, and obtained
his Master's Degree in Fine Arts, with his major in drama from the Yale
University School of Drama. He is a Boston Red Sox fan. Paul is the
youngest of three children. His older brother, Marcus Giamatti, is also
an actor. His sister, Elena, designs jewelry. His father, A. Bartlett
Giamatti, was a professor of Renaissance Literature at Yale University,
and went on to become the university's youngest president. (In 1986,
Bart Giamatti was appointed president of baseball's National League.
He became Commissioner of Baseball on April 1, 1989 and served for five
months until his untimely death on September 1, 1989. He was commissioner
at the time Pete Rose was banned from the game.)
Predilection: None
Critters: Lots of street dogs in Russia.
Food: Chick pea is featured.
Sex Spectrum: Without a soul it is difficult to enjoy
sex.
Opening Titles: Black background with white type.
Visual Art: The emptiness if life without a soul
is depicted beautifully.
Theater Audience: Five other soulful people and me.
Weather: Brrrr - it is a cold winter in both St Petersburg
and on the shore of Brighton Beach in Brooklyn.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 2
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I started to look at my watch about
half way through.
Predictability Level: I was not sure where this film
would end up.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine.
Length: Under two hours
LOBO HOWLS: 6
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