"America's Heart & Soul," an uplifting documentary about ordinary/extraordinary Americans opening July 2, is a good way to celebrate this year's Independence Day. A rare documentary release by Disney's Buena Vista Pictures, the movie was a 10-year labor of love by Louis Schwartzberg, who literally crisscrossed "the land of the free" in search of people living interesting and inspirational lives. Featuring gorgeous cinematography stretching from coast-to-coast, the film is full of sweeping vistas and action photography taken of people with unusual professions such as a New York bicycle messenger, an acrobatic pilot from Florida and a cowboy from Telluride. Along with the scenery and the real-life stories come bits of shared wisdom learned from experience that make for a meaningful as well as entertaining cinematic experience. (A-I, PG) |