Paul is agonising over his interpretation of 'Uncle Vanya' and, paralysed by anxiety, stumbles upon a solution via a New Yorker article about a high-tech company promising to alleviate suffering by extracting souls. He enlists their services—only to discover that his soul is the shape and size of a chickpea.
Peppered with ingenious twists of imagination, Cold Souls walks a tightrope between intellectual slapstick and edgy social commentary.
– Colin Covert,
Minneapolis Star Tribune,
27 Aug 2009
fresh:
Giamatti stammers and futzes and self-loathes with the best of 'em, and his endearing persona and droopy-dog face can move the film along even when the narrative can't.
– Justin Berton,
Houston Chronicle,
4 Sep 2009
fresh:
These are all very surreal, inventive ideas, heightened by the dreamlike cinematography from Barthes' partner, Andrij Parekh; the scenes shot in St. Petersburg, for example, are simultaneously gauzy and bleak.
– Christy Lemire,
Associated Press,
18 Sep 2009
fresh:
It's comical, yes, but glum and brooding, too, a wintry waltz through acting, underground commerce and metaphysics.
– Roger Moore,
Orlando Sentinel,
30 Sep 2009
fresh:
The credible production design impresses, the camerawork offers an exquisite chill and Giamatti is in his pomp.