On Body and Soul
On Body and Soul

Movie spotlight

On Body and Soul

2017
Movie
116 min
Hungarian

Two introverted people find out by pure chance that they share the same dream every night. They are puzzled, incredulous, a bit frightened. As they hesitantly accept this strange coincidence, they try to recreate in broad daylight what happens in their dream.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes97%
Metacritic82/100
Google Users85%
Director: Ildikó EnyediGenres: Drama, Fantasy, Romance

Plot Summary

Endre, the quiet and reserved finance director of a slaughterhouse, meets Mária, a new quality inspector. They discover they share a strange, recurring dream: they are both deer in a serene forest. As they cautiously explore this shared dreamscape, they struggle to bridge the gap between their unusual inner worlds and the often harsh reality of their physical existence. Their hesitant connection blossoms into an extraordinary and tender love story, challenging conventional notions of intimacy and connection.

Critical Reception

On Body and Soul was met with widespread critical acclaim, lauded for its originality, delicate touch, and profound exploration of human connection. Critics praised its blend of magical realism with grounded emotional authenticity, and the performances of its lead actors were frequently highlighted. The film's unique premise and unconventional romance resonated deeply with audiences and reviewers alike.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its unique and poetic exploration of love and connection.

  • Celebrated for its striking blend of magical realism and emotional depth.

  • The performances, particularly Alexandra Borbély's, are a standout.

Google audience: Audience reviews frequently highlight the film's unique premise and its unusual yet deeply moving love story. Viewers appreciated the magical realism and the authentic portrayal of characters struggling with connection. Some found the film slow-paced, but most agreed it was a thought-provoking and memorable cinematic experience.

Awards & Accolades

Won the Golden Bear at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Fun Fact

Director Ildikó Enyedi stated that the idea for the shared dreams came to her when she was observing cranes migrating and thought about how animals experience the world.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

There's a tiny bit of aw, it's "Bambi" at the start of this film as a great stag and a much smaller doe are seen meandering through the wintery forest looking for some nice juicy leaves. Next thing, we are in an Hungarian abattoir where fin...