Look, I’m Gonna Say It
I’m so over people not getting ‘Soul.’ I mean, honestly, it’s like they watched a different movie than I did. Let me tell you, I saw it opening weekend at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, and it changed me. Not in a weird, cult-like way, but in a ‘I finally get what Joe Gardner was trying to say about life’ way.
So, last Tuesday, I was at this thing, a dinner party? Whatever. Some guy—let’s call him Marcus—says, ‘Soul was just okay.’ Just okay?! I mean, come on. I asked him what he thought was missing. He said, ‘It was kinda preachy.’ Which… yeah. Fair enough. But that’s not the point. It’s a Pixar film! They’re all kinda preachy!
And don’t get me started on the whole ‘it’s not as good as Up’ thing. First of all, that’s like saying ‘I don’t like this steak because it’s not as good as that other steak I had once.’ Steak is steak, people. It’s all good.
But Here’s the Thing
I think the real issue here is that ‘Soul’ is about jazz. And, frankly, alot of people don’t get jazz. It’s not pop music. It’s not something you can just hum along to. It’s complex. It’s layered. It’s… well, it’s like life, you know?
I remember talking to this pianist, Dave, about three months ago. He said, ‘Jazz is like a conversation. It’s not about hitting the right notes; it’s about the conversation between the notes.’ That’s what ‘Soul’ is about. It’s about the conversation between life and… well, everything else.
And another thing—why are we still arguing about the whole ‘afterlife’ thing? Look, I’m not religious, but I’m also not an idiot. The afterlife in ‘Soul’ is a metaphor. It’s not about heaven or hell or whatever. It’s about finding your purpose. It’s about committment to your passion. It’s about… ugh, I can’t even explain it. You just gotta feel it.
Okay, Tangent Time
Speaking of feeling things, remember that time I went to that concert in Thailand? No, not Bangkok. Somewhere else. Chiang Mai? Anyway, there was this band, and they were playing this song, and it was like… it was like ‘Soul.’ It was complex. It was layered. It was about the conversation between the notes. And people were just standing there, not getting it. Not feeling it. It was frustrating, honestly.
But then, at 11:30pm, this one guy—let’s call him… uh, Marcus again?—he starts dancing. Not like, you know, normal dancing. He’s just moving. He’s feeling it. He’s living it. And that’s what ‘Soul’ is about. It’s about finding your groove. It’s about living your life like that guy at the concert. It’s about… well, it’s about being alive.
So, yeah. That’s my take. ‘Soul’ is a masterpiece. It’s a conversation. It’s a metaphor. It’s a… a… okay, I’m not sure what it is. But it’s good. It’s really, really good.
Oh, and if you’re looking for something to do this weekend, check out the Thailand events calendar weekend. Trust me, it’s gonna be good.
Anyway, I’m done. I’ve said my piece. You can disagree if you want. But you’re wrong. Just saying.
About the Author
I’m Sarah, a senior magazine editor with more than 20 years of experience. I’ve written for basically every major publication out there. I love movies, music, and arguing about them. I live in Austin with my cat, Whiskers, who is, frankly, the real editor around here. Follow me on Twitter @SarahEditsStuff.
Ever wondered how education shapes the entertainment industry? Discover the global perspective from Turkey in our fascinating feature, education’s influence on pop culture.
If you’re curious about how AI is reshaping the entertainment world, don’t miss the future of pop culture and why you should care.
If you’re a fan of gripping narratives and stellar performances, don’t miss out on Mexican series at their best, a deep dive into the golden age of Mexican television.
