Heart and Souls MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -1 1/2

A pretty young waitress (Kyra Sedgwick), a petty criminal (Tom Sizemore), a single black mother (Alfre Woodard) and an insecure but talented bachelor (Charles Grodin) have one thing in common. The four strangers, all passengers on a San Francisco city bus, die simultaneously when the bus crashes. Their spirits leave their bodies, and all four take over the body of newborn Thomas Riley. The four spirits are invisible to everyone but young Thomas. He talks with them and refers to them as his best friends. Eventually the spirits fade away from Thomas' consciousness, and he forgets about his buddies until they suddenly reappear in his adult life. Robert Downey, Jr. plays the grownup Thomas, an ambitious, insensitive businessman. The four reactivated spirits are ordered by a messenger from above to leave Thomas and report for new, separate assignments. The messenger agrees to give them a few days to resolve unfinished business in their previous lives. They must use Thomas to do this. Poor Thomas is literally pulled in five directions as he tries to accommodate each spirit while taking care of his own business. This silly, weird far-out comedy tries too hard to be funny.

The idea that reincarnation exists will offend Christians. However, references to God acknowledge there is a Supreme Being directing the spirits. Also, the importance of love, righting wrongs, commitment and using our talents is stressed. While there is no sex or nudity, the petty thief makes many suggestive remarks and seems to have a "one-track" mind. A man fondling a woman while driving a car so detracts a bus driver that he loses control of the bus and all passengers are killed. Other violence includes a a man struck with a poker and a dog chase. None are gratuitous or overly graphic. While there is no homosexual conduct, Thomas is overcome by a female spirit in one scene, causing him to act effeminately. Several obscenities and two regular profanities further mar the film. The characters in HEART AND SOULS all learn some basic truths. However, the film's reincarnation fantasy theme, gratuitous offensive language and profanities and suggestive dialogue make it objectionable.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Universal Pictures, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608