Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
A fateful night in 1959, four people die when the bus they are riding crashes. They continue as ghosts; their souls become eternally entwined to the life of a child born at the moment of their deaths as his guardians. Baby Thomas grows up to be a businessman who has memories of his playmates, but assumes they are products of his youthful imagination. When the ghosts realize they need Thomas' help to move on to the afterlife, they decide to make an appearance once more.
Heart and Souls is a warmly received fantasy-comedy with a charming high concept — four ghosts bound to a child from birth who must help them complete unfinished business before moving on. The plot is engaging and emotionally satisfying if somewhat formulaic in its episodic structure. Robert Downey Jr. leads an appealing ensemble with genuine comedic and dramatic range, and the supporting ghosts (Charles Grodin, Alfre Woodard, Kyra Sedgwick, Tom Sizemore) are endearing, though performances are competent rather than exceptional. Cinematography is serviceable late-period Hollywood without distinctive visual ambition. The premise blends guardian-angel and unfinished-business tropes in a pleasing way without being truly singular. The ending delivers the expected emotional payoff competently, earning genuine sentiment without surprising the audience.