I went to see Cold Souls only knowing the barest minimum about it. I was expecting a film that had a strong, but dark, comedic undercurrent as it made a statement about the nature of self and that indefinable element that makes you you and not someone else. I was also expecting to see another strong performance from Paul Giamatti. I was right on the Giamatti front, but when it comes to the substance of said film, I cannot help but feel underwhelmed.
The high concept behind the film is that the soul is a physical thing that can be removed from the body and stored, or even placed into another body. This process, which is never completely explained in the film, is used as the backdrop for a central character who is unhappy and looking to make a change in life. The issue revolves around whether that change is due to internal or external causes and whether or not it is something he needs to deal with himself. I think. It could also be about what our souls look like and the wide varieties they come in.
As the film opens, we meet Paul Giamatti (played by Paul Giamatti). He is depressed and feels helpless while performing in the play Uncle Vanya. His agent recommends that he look into this "soul storage" thing as a way to help take the pressure off. So, Paul goes to the extraction and storage offices where he is told by Dr. Flintstein (David Strathairn) that, to save on taxes, he can have it shipped to their New Jersey storage facility post-removal.
It goes without saying that Paul goes through with the process (otherwise we would not have a movie). Afterward, Paul begins to think about what he's done, not to mention the fact that it did not quite have the desired effect. The facility also offers the renting of other souls and Paul ends up with the soul of a Russian, with very unexpected results.
The story picks up when Paul decides he wants his own soul back only to find it missing. This is when Paul learns that there is a black market in Russia for these disembodied souls, and that is where his has gone. Determined to get his soul, he goes to Russia with Nina, a soul mule for the Russians and the woman who took Paul's across the ocean.
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