I usually don’t include the plot, as I don’t really see the point in reviews to give you a plot of movie you either have seen or are considering seeing (therefore reading this, hopefully) but given the fact this will be an under-seen movie not matter what, I’ll make an exception:

When slaughterhouse workers Endre and Mária discover they share the same dreams – where they meet in a forest as deer and fall in love – they decide to make their dreams come true but it’s difficult in real life.

This Hungarian movie (nominated for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year at 2018 Oscars) is really worth it, even if you consider subtitles to be just really annoying part of a weird, usually different movie you’re not used to. See for yourself, the trailer below:

I know. I’ve done it. I’ve just hit a jackpot where all the keywords like “Endre”, “Maria”, “Hungarian” and “subtitles” will make sure most of you reading this until now click away, washing their eyes in terror and hoping that somebody better invent the goddamn time machine quick, so you can travel back in time a minute before reading this review and stop your past self from reading this.

But that’d be dumb not that wise. This movie is different, and yes, it might be bit on the “artsy” side (yet another keyword, yey! This is going well…) but it’s not self-indulgent. This is just a simple story told slightly differently with killer performances, that are nuanced and feel honest.

On Body and Soul is unique look at relationships, and how easy or difficult they can be, especially if you are not sure how to communicate your feelings, if you’re socially awkward, or if you don’t have anyone else to go to for an advice. It is relatable on a very basic level where (almost) everybody just wants to find somebody to share their happiness, pain, life, you know, the entire package with.

It’s also visually stunning movie, combining some harsh images (people who struggle with blood should maybe consider skipping this one) with poetic images of pure, untainted nature.

I’m not going to lie, I’ve only seen this movie once, over 2 years ago, but it stayed with me until today. Because to me, this is the perfect blend of a movie being “artsy” without having to bore you to death, or where you’d have to ask yourself every 10 minutes “what the fuck am I watching?” The story isn’t complicated at all, it’s told beautifully and only asks you to suspend your disbelief for a tiny bit, after all, why couldn’t 2 people meet within one dream?

I’m going to leave you with this – if you going to watch just ONE Hungarian movie in your entire life, this might a choice you (hopefully) shouldn’t regret.

And I’ll leave you with this song from the movie that perfectly encapsulates the feel of it (the video with it will make more sense once you’ve seen the movie, trust me on that :-))

Hope you’ve enjoyed this review, let me know what you think!

Until next time,

Luke