Cold Souls Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

Trailer

Director: Sophie Barthes
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Science Fiction
Release year: 2009
Runtime (length): 1h 41min
IMDb rating: 6.4/10 (10K votes)
Rotten Tomatoes: 64%

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0.0 out of 5 stars (based on 0 reviews)

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Paul Giamatti literally loses his soul (which looks like a chickpea) and has to go to Russia to get it back from a vapid soap opera star, proving even actors need a bit of ‘oomph’ to play Uncle Vanya.

🍿 Cold Souls: Detailed Plot Synopsis

An Actor’s Existential Crisis

Paul Giamatti, playing a fictionalized version of himself, is an actor struggling with the weight of his role as Uncle Vanya in a Broadway production. Overwhelmed by the character’s melancholy and his own anxieties, he seeks a radical solution to alleviate his suffering. He discovers an article about Soul Storage, a company offering soul extraction services.

Soul Extraction and its Consequences

Driven by desperation, Paul visits Soul Storage, run by Dr. Flintstein, and undergoes the procedure to have his soul removed. Described as looking like a chickpea, Paul’s soul is stored away. Initially, he feels a sense of relief, but soon realizes that being soulless affects his acting and his relationships, particularly with his wife Claire. He finds himself emotionally detached and unable to connect with his craft.

Borrowing a Soul and International Intrigue

Seeking a remedy for his soulless state, Paul rents the soul of a Russian poet. While his acting improves, the experience is unsettling as he experiences fragments of the poet’s life and intense sorrow. Meanwhile, a Russian woman named Nina works as a ‘soul mule’, transporting souls between New York and St. Petersburg. She becomes entangled in a scheme to steal Paul’s soul for a Russian soap opera actress.

The Quest to Retrieve a Stolen Soul

Paul discovers his soul has been stolen and enlists Nina’s help to retrieve it from Russia. They travel to St. Petersburg, navigating a black market for souls and confronting a Russian gangster and his aspiring actress wife. The journey forces Paul to confront his identity and what it truly means to have a soul.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

If you plan to watch the movie first, watch here and come back to this section afterward.

See Spoilers and Ending

The Return of the Chickpea Soul

After a series of events involving soul-swapping and black market dealings, Paul manages to recover his own soul. The film concludes with Paul seemingly restored to his former self, though forever changed by his experiences. The ending leaves the audience to ponder the nature of identity, the impact of emotions, and what it truly means to be human.

Ambiguous Reflections

The film ends with Nina unable to retrieve her soul, implying that Paul’s journey has given him renewed appreciation for his own. The final scene leaves the future ambiguous. It can be interpreted that Paul has learned to embrace both the light and dark aspects of his existence and has become a more complete version of himself. This highlights the film’s themes on the importance of embracing one’s humanity, even the painful parts.

🎬 Cast & Characters

Paul Giamatti (Paul Giamatti): An actor struggling with existential ennui and his role in Uncle Vanya, who opts to have his soul extracted.
Claire (Emily Watson): Paul’s wife, who notices the changes in him after his soul extraction and struggles to connect with his soulless self.
Dr. Flintstein (David Strathairn): The doctor who runs the Soul Storage company, offering soul extraction as a solution to life’s burdens.
Nina (Dina Korzun): A Russian ‘mule’ who smuggles souls between New York and St. Petersburg, becoming entangled in Paul’s quest to recover his soul.
Dimitri (Sergey Kolesnikov): A Russian mob boss who runs a soul storage business in Russia and whose wife gets Paul’s soul.
Sveta (Katheryn Winnick): Dimitri’s wife, a talentless soap opera actress who receives Paul’s soul in an attempt to improve her acting.

💬 Memorable Quotes

Giamatti – Paul: “Are you telling me, my soul is a chick pea?” – Paul’s incredulous reaction upon learning the physical appearance of his extracted soul.
Dr. Flintstein: “When you get rid of the soul, everything makes so much more sense.” – Dr. Flintstein’s dryly delivered sales pitch for soul extraction, highlighting the supposed benefits of a soulless existence.
Paul: “It’s funny. You think it would make you lighter.” – Reflecting on how the soul’s extraction changes the acting Paul Giamatti.

💰Box Office

Budget: N/A
Domestic Gross: $905,209
Worldwide Gross: $1,134,837

💥 Cold Souls Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this movie years ago and being completely drawn in by the bizarre concept. Seeing Paul Giamatti play ‘himself’ but also someone totally different was fascinating. The scenes in Russia are beautiful but tinged with a strange melancholy. I love how it makes you think about what really matters, and whether we’d actually be happier without all the heavy stuff we carry around. It’s a truly unique movie experience that’s stayed with me, although it does make me crave hummus, oddly!

Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of dark comedies”
- “Viewers interested in existential themes”
- “Fans of Paul Giamatti”
- “Those who enjoy surreal films”
Content warnings ⚠:
- “Brief nudity”
- “Mature themes”
- “Language”

Professional Reviews

Collider.com: “Giamatti delivers a brilliantly understated performance, exploring the depths of existential dread with both humor and pathos. The film’s surreal premise is grounded by its exploration of the human condition, making it a thought-provoking and entertaining experience. Barthes creates something truly special and surreal.
Slash Film: “Cold Souls is a clever, quirky comedy that explores the search for meaning in a world obsessed with superficiality. Paul Giamatti’s portrayal of himself is both hilarious and poignant, making this a must-see for fans of offbeat indie films. However, it doesn’t quite hit the mark.
IMDb: “A dark yet delightful film that explores existential torment with absurdity and wit. Sophie Barthes has created something entirely her own. Giamatti is great, and Strathairn and Korzun provide excellent support. Camera work and french music are wonderful.

Audience Reactions

The unique premise and Giamatti’s acting were the most talked about positive aspects.: Viewers praised the film’s originality and Paul Giamatti’s performance, calling it thought-provoking and funny.

Overall Consensus: An offbeat and thought-provoking film with a strong performance by Paul Giamatti. The surreal premise and dark humor make it a unique experience, though some find the pacing uneven.

Awards

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🛠️ Behind the Scenes

“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 Woody Allen in mind for the lead role, but later decided to cast Paul Giamatti.”
“Filming locations included St. Petersburg, Russia, adding authenticity to the film’s exploration of Russian soul and identity.”

🖥️ How to Watch Cold Souls?

Cold Souls is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Cold Souls, you might like these similar films:

Being John Malkovich (1999): Features a surreal premise where characters can enter the mind of another person, similar to the soul-swapping concept.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004): Explores themes of memory and identity through a fantastical procedure, mirroring Cold Souls’ focus on existential questions.
Synecdoche, New York (2008): Deals with the anxieties and absurdities of life, death, and art. It contains a great actor in crisis over his newest role.

🛒 Cold Souls Related Products

Being John Malkovich [Blu-ray]: If you enjoyed the surreal humor and celebrity self-parody of Cold Souls, dive into another Charlie Kaufman masterpiece with a star playing a version of themselves. Being John Malkovich explores similar themes with even more absurdity and innovation.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind [Blu-ray]: Continue your cinematic journey into quirky existential stories with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. This Blu-ray offers another captivating exploration of memory and self, ideal for those who appreciate the depth of Cold Souls.
Uncle Vanya by Anton Chekhov (Kindle Edition): Dive deeper into the play that torments Paul Giamatti’s character! This digital edition offers a chance to explore the complex themes of Chekhov’s work, giving you a new appreciation for the film’s context and references.
Dark Souls Trilogy (PlayStation 4): Explore the darker side of the soul, Dark Souls is a challenging action RPG series set in a dark fantasy world. Players engage in epic battles, test their skills against formidable bosses, and explore interconnected environments filled with secrets and lore. Known for its difficulty, rewarding gameplay, and atmospheric world-building, Dark Souls has become a cult classic among gamers seeking a unique and challenging experience.

🎧 Soundtrack

Cold Souls features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

“Kalitka” – performed by Larisa Bell

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

What is ‘Cold Souls’ about?

Cold Souls is a dark comedy-drama about an actor, Paul Giamatti, who, struggling with an existential crisis, decides to have his soul extracted and stored. The film explores themes of identity, the nature of the soul, and the pursuit of happiness.

Is ‘Cold Souls’ similar to ‘Being John Malkovich’?

While both films feature surreal and existential themes, Cold Souls explores different concepts and has a unique narrative structure. Though comparisons can be drawn, Cold Souls stands on its own as a distinct work with its own artistic vision.

Where was ‘Cold Souls’ filmed?

Cold Souls was filmed primarily in New York City and St. Petersburg, Russia. These locations add to the film’s atmosphere and thematic exploration.

🔥 Bonus Content

Kratos Was Speechless 😳 | #godofwar #shorts #kratos #godofwar2018 #godofwaredit

Ever wonder what would leave Kratos speechless? This short video captures that moment perfectly! It’s kinda funny and sums up his character pretty well.