Cold Souls (2009)

Paul is an actor who feels bogged down by his participation in a production of Chekov's play, Vanya.

Director:

Sophie Barthes

Writer:

Sophie Barthes

Stars:

Paul Giamatti, Armand Schultz, Dina Korzun

2 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Paul Giamatti	...	Paul Giamatti
Armand Schultz	...	Astrov
Michael Tucker	...	Theatre Director
Dina Korzun	...	Nina
Ted Koch	...	INS Officer
Oksana Lada	...	Sasha
Natalia Zvereva	...	Blonde Mule
Larisa Bell	...	Russian Singer
Anna Dyukova	...	Olga (as Anna Dukova)
Charles Techman	...	Soul Storage Doorman
Lauren Ambrose	...	Stephanie
David Strathairn	...	Dr. Flintstein
Laura Heisler	...	Female Client in Promo
Brienin Bryant	...	Young Woman in Soul Storage
Charlotte Mickie	...	Mrs. Rathbone

Storyline

Civilization and its discontents. Paul, an actor preparing for "Uncle Vanya" on Broadway, is mired in ennui. His agent tells him about an office where he can put his soul in storage. He does so then discovers that being soulless helps neither his acting nor his marriage; he returns to the office and rents, for two weeks, the soul of a Russian poet. His acting improves, but his wife finds him different, he sees bits of the borrowed soul's life, and he's now deep in sorrow. He wants his own soul back, but there are complications: it's in St. Petersburg. With the help of Nina, a Russian who transports souls to the U.S., he determines to get it back. Who has he become?

---

Plot Keywords:

actor | poet | agent | ennui | chickpea | 

---

Taglines:

A soul searching comedy.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for nudity and brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Facebook Page

Country:

USA France

Language:

English Russian

Release Date:

5 May 2010 (France)

Also Known As:

Alma Perdida

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$63,302 (USA) (7 August 2009)

Gross:

$903,148 (USA) (6 November 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Samuel Goldwyn Films, Two Lane Pictures, Winner Arts

Technical Specs

Runtime:

101 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was inspired by a dream Sophie Barthes had in which Woody Allen discovers that his soul looks just like a chickpea. Barthes wrote the first draft with Allen in mind for the lead role.

---

Goofs

Dmitri tells the actress not to worry that Paul's soul looks like and is the size of a chickpea, telling her that Al Pacino won three Oscars. Al Pacino has actually only won one Oscar (Best Actor in 1992, Scent of a Woman).

---

Quotes

Dr. Flintstein: Now, your soul will be be stored here, or, if you'd rather avoid sales tax, it can be shipped to our New Jersey warehouse.
Giamatti - Paul: Un, no. God, no. I don't want my soul shipped to New Jersey. No.
Dr. Flintstein: I understand.

---

Connections

References Scarface (1983)

---

Soundtracks

"All Right by Me"
Written by Daniel May
Performed by The Daniel May Quartet
Published by Revision West
Courtesy of Marc Ferrari/Mastersource

User Reviews

I loved this movie, and you will too. Here's why....

Often, attempts at satire or surrealism fall flat. The jokes are silly, or the situations not credible. But when they do work, they provide those unique gems of an experience that are hard to forget Such is the case for Cold Souls. Sophie Barthes did a magnificent job of making a surrealistic story credible, with serious characters, and involving emotions. Her camera work and lensing are impeccable, and the performance by Paul Giamati is so sincere and moving that it raises the movie. Sophie takes us through a world where one can have their soul removed, then shows us the consequences. And she does so in such a way as to keep the entire situation credible. This makes for a unique film experience, which is so refreshing.

The humor is amazing. Paul is such a terrific actor, he plays his satire with utter credibility, and in a profoundly moving way. That he is able to pull such credibility out of such situations is a testament to his acting ability. After seeing this, I now regard him as one of our best actors, period.

Everyone in the theater was laughing out loud at the cleaver humor and odd situations. If you're looking for wonderful, thought provoking entertainment, above the masses, I thoroughly recommend this movie.