Soul FULL Reaction
Added 2022-01-16 21:04:55 +0000 UTCOne of the better animated films in years... with a nice, somewhat sophisticated message about life, happiness, and dreams...
Comments
Yep, just saw it again. I forgot how hard this movie hit me the first time I saw it. I'm one of those people that struggles with the concept of "purpose," and I do feel like it helps (me) to be reminded that life is worth living just for the living ... you don't have to justify it with a purpose. I know what my "spark" is. I suppose I reject the idea of a "purpose" (always have), but that mindset has somewhat killed my ability to appreciate life day-to-day, because I come from a Midwest German Protestant family, where having goals, working hard, and achieving are the main point of living, which puts me in constant conflict with myself over how I was raised versus what I truly believe is important. There's no "living for the sake of living" in my family. They worship The Grind, and dismiss simple pleasure. Just relaxing and enjoying is not something I learned growing up, but I'm trying to understand it now. That one last line from Jerry in the Great Before, where they laughed off the idea of a purpose, was the real kicker for me. The idea that life is ABOUT living, and the only thing you need to live is a spark -- something that makes you want to live -- and that spark doesn't have to be WHAT YOU DO, or WHO YOU ARE, just ... the thing that reminds you that life is worth living. That rings so incredibly true to me, but I feel like I have to shed a lifetime of programming to truly accept it as my own core value. I think I should re-watch this movie at intervals -- treat it like that brief map-check one does every now and then on a long journey, when you want to reassure yourself you're really on the right road. And now that I say it, I'm putting it in my calendar to rewatch in four days (on my birthday). I just added a repeat to the calendar item to remind myself every three months, with no end date. And I'm really happy I did that. Appreciate you watching this one, and your commentary. Thanks!
JW-
2022-01-23 23:13:50 +0000 UTCGoodness...there is so much to say about this film that I almost don't know what to say. This film is definitely one of the top animated films I've watched because it really did touch my soul (no pun intended haha). I felt connected to Joe and his journey and I absolutely love the message of the film and as you said it had a serious and profound tone that I also really appreciated. The film hit home on multiple levels such as Joe's discussions with his mother. The pressure and topic of "stability" hit home and I know we all feel that on some level, if not from our parents, then from society. For me passion should come first and when people see that joy, money will come. I mean just look at 22. Her joy for life was infectious and Joe was able to see a different side of people from his life because of her....so I think we've been trained in society to focus money first but most of the time that crushes our soul and we can end up like that "trader guy." As for Joe and his ultimate dream to play...that such a great part of the film for me because it pretty much aligns with my spiritual path right now and what I'm learning or "unlearning" about the world and myself. Life is more than a goal or a singular moment. As humans we can become attached to fixed ideas or "stories" (good and bad) about who we are and what we're here to do. For me, I'm understanding that life is actually like water. It's free flowing, as are we. Inspiration can come in all forms if we open our hearts to it. The scene when Joe finally "gets it" at the piano made me cry...it really show cases that life is not about the "goal" but the experience. It's about being present. When we're present and not always worrying about the future, that's when we actually "live." But we've been conditioned to think that sitting under a tree is "doing nothing"...but every breath we take and are present for is doing something. It's what I've come to believe for myself also. Once we take the pressure off ourselves to achieve and do something with this life, then we can truly take in the ordinary moments we take for granted and find the peace we're longing to find. I love that, that was at the heart of the film's message. Loved the reaction Thor :)
Effie
2022-01-21 18:38:55 +0000 UTCDarn it! I already saw this and was thinking I could rent it again to watch with you, but I can't find it for rent anywhere. Hmmm ... I'll bookmark this for later. Really glad you did this though! I remember liking this movie.
JW-
2022-01-18 23:30:59 +0000 UTC
