"Teströl és lélekröl" or "On Body and Soul" is a new Hungarian movie (2017) that runs for almost two hours and was written and directed by Ildikó Enyedi, one of the country's most known and successful (female) filmmakers who has been working in the industry since the late 1970s here. But now in her early 60s, this film has the potential to become her biggest success. It is Hungary's official Oscar submission and even if the one from the year before was not successful, Enyedi tries to step into big footsteps as "Son of Saul" won the Oscar very recently. But we talked about this one on another occasion already. Now it is time for this one here and I must say I liked it. It is especially, but not exclusively the two lead actors who make it work as they are both very good. But it also the side stories that add a lot here like the part about the theft that is a bit predictable, but not hurt by it. The film does not need antagonists or really bad guys to succeed. They may be womanizers or thieves, but that doesn't mean they are bad people and you should not jump to conclusions.
In the center of it all, however, is the soul mate plot. We have a man and a woman meeting in their dreams and for this really unrealistic premise Enyedi's effort is even more impressive because she made it all seem really realistic and it was easy to care for the characters and wonder what might happen to them next. Sadly, there is one exception sort of and this is the last half hour where the film hits its only low point as it sacrifices the so far quietly convincing approach for cheap thrills. First of all, it would make no sense that the male protagonist suddenly goes to bed with the other woman as he said he was finished with stuff like that. And the emotional turmoil is hardly explanation enough. Then the scene at the cafeteria where he acts as cold and distanced as it gets towards her, only to call her quickly afterward saying that he loves her so much. Of course that is the moment when she is about to commit suicide. And he basically saves her and she is pretty much perfectly fine despite all the blood she lost. I never understand the need for all this super intense drama at the end of films only to offer a quick feel-good solution. It really hurt the film here. If they take this path, then maybe her actually killing herself in an unhappy ending could have been the better choice. But at best, leave the suicide out entirely. Had the film ended with them finding each other sexually and emotionally when they tried to sleep in the very same room, this would have been an amazing film. No cheap thrills please. The very last shot with the deer gone as they were finally united in reality was beautiful and smart again. Overall, except the final weaknesses, this was a film with great attention to detail (for example the therapist who was the only one allowed to call her Marika and she really trusted him apparently as he was also her child therapist, so they know each other for so long already) and a truly convincing portrayal of autism by the stunning Borbély. But her male co-lead Morcsányi was just on par with his performance. Touching film and I'm curious if Hungary scores another Oscar nomination with it. The win is probably not an option this year, but it's fine. I give it a thumbs-up and suggest you check it out.
In the center of it all, however, is the soul mate plot. We have a man and a woman meeting in their dreams and for this really unrealistic premise Enyedi's effort is even more impressive because she made it all seem really realistic and it was easy to care for the characters and wonder what might happen to them next. Sadly, there is one exception sort of and this is the last half hour where the film hits its only low point as it sacrifices the so far quietly convincing approach for cheap thrills. First of all, it would make no sense that the male protagonist suddenly goes to bed with the other woman as he said he was finished with stuff like that. And the emotional turmoil is hardly explanation enough. Then the scene at the cafeteria where he acts as cold and distanced as it gets towards her, only to call her quickly afterward saying that he loves her so much. Of course that is the moment when she is about to commit suicide. And he basically saves her and she is pretty much perfectly fine despite all the blood she lost. I never understand the need for all this super intense drama at the end of films only to offer a quick feel-good solution. It really hurt the film here. If they take this path, then maybe her actually killing herself in an unhappy ending could have been the better choice. But at best, leave the suicide out entirely. Had the film ended with them finding each other sexually and emotionally when they tried to sleep in the very same room, this would have been an amazing film. No cheap thrills please. The very last shot with the deer gone as they were finally united in reality was beautiful and smart again. Overall, except the final weaknesses, this was a film with great attention to detail (for example the therapist who was the only one allowed to call her Marika and she really trusted him apparently as he was also her child therapist, so they know each other for so long already) and a truly convincing portrayal of autism by the stunning Borbély. But her male co-lead Morcsányi was just on par with his performance. Touching film and I'm curious if Hungary scores another Oscar nomination with it. The win is probably not an option this year, but it's fine. I give it a thumbs-up and suggest you check it out.