It opens with Joe Gardener teaching band lessons to middle-school students sharing his own story of how he came to know of his passion. He is sure that he is born to play jazz and that too at serious level with all his freedom by his side.
When one day which is supposed to be the biggest one of his life, he thinks he would finally “arrive” on the scene, the excitement doesn’t make him notice a manhole. He gets up in another world altogether. The world of souls, with him being one of them! This world is like the intermediate station between one life and another one. Joe obviously is freaked out and is far from accepting his death. He escapes somehow to another compartment in that world called The Great Before – the place where souls are to be readied for the next birth.
From the whole lot of eligible souls which are gearing up for the next birth, there is one named Twenty-two. She is rather clear-headed and doesn't give a rat's ass to being born again. She is fine in not getting her "spark" and is enviably at ease with herself. Anyhow, she and Joe got on well with each other and become good pals. Their friendship is very endearing to watch. With Joe raring to go back on his big day, she decides to help Joe get a return pass to Earth. How she helps and what follows afterwards is something that I would like you to watch rather than me being a spoiler and suck all the fun out of it.
All in all, the theme highlights the importance of having a “life”. It is about not letting yourself take the unimportant-looking things for granted while you await a few events to make your mark. It tells you to stay in the moment and enjoy the little joys of life – be it holding a little leaf spiralling down from a tree or taking interest in the anyone assisting you or running fingers on railings to make a music or whatever that brings you a smile! Twenty-two turns out to be a rather eye-opener for Joe. And you too. “Letting out yourself” is the key message she sends in all her actions which are all brilliantly shown without a P of Preaching.
I particularly loved the portrayal of that another world where differently-sized souls are designed so superbly in that light green-and-blue transitioned colour with a faded border to give it an adorable look. In fact, their figureless inspiration managers – Jerrys- too are sketched to perfection. It is pure delight to watch the imagination come alive so beautifully. Since it revolves around sparks and purposes, it is clear as daylight that Pixar and Docter know theirs so damn well.
