"On Body and Soul" is a very good film but I have a couple warnings for you if you would like to see it. First, it's set at a slaughter house and there are some disgusting scenes that may bother sensitive viewers or make them vegetarians. Second, I don't recommend seeing the film if you are depressed because there is an attempted suicide in the movie.

Despite these two god-awful story elements, however, I really enjoyed this movie from Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi. However, the summary isn't exactly right. While some might say that the female lead has Asperger's Syndrome, she also showed some aspects of traditional Autism. It's because this often is the case that Asperger's is no longer the diagnosis in the new DSM-V, but it's referred to as an 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' because many folks have aspects of both extremes. So, while Maria was able to attend college and has a degree and a good job (as a government quality inspector at the plant),she is even more hopeless with relationships than most folks with Asperger's AND has extreme difficulty with being touched (like someone with a more severe case of Autism).

When Maria begins work at the plant, everyone almost instantly dislikes her. Her social skills are almost non-existent and she moves in an almost robotic fashion. Nice guy Endre tries to be nice to her but is rebuffed...because Maria is a social misfit. Later in the film, however, they find something bizarre that draws them together...they share the exact same dream night after night!! Obviously, fate has determined they are a perfect match but Maria's disorder is so severe she frightens Endre off when he tries to connect with her. But she DOES desperately want to be loved and it's definitely going to be a painful uphill battle for this odd couple.

The romance in this one is sweet and I appreciate Maria's character, as I've worked with folks a bit like her as a therapist and could appreciate the story. As I indicated above, however, the romantic film is not for everyone...so think twice before you give this one a try.

"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.

As somebody who is disabled and has Aspergers myself, 'On Body and Soul' did resonate a lot with me and really did feel a big emotional connection with it.

'On Body and Soul' is not a perfect film, with the unflinching savage elements (even in the unusual slaughter house setting) not really gelling with the rest of the film and feeling almost gratuitous in the shock value. Having said that, it is also a really beautiful film that was made with a lot of good intentions and heart. Really respected that it handled Aspergers and disability with sensitivity and tact, doing it in a way that makes one genuinely connect with the characters even more so than we do already. It's not overdone and it's not trivialised either.

Unusual a love story that in 'On Body and Soul' is, but it is also one with soul and a lot of pathos. The excellent performances from the two leads Geza Morcsanyi and particularly Alexandra Borbely help bring a genuine poignancy to the story and their chemistry is heartfelt in its realism. Nothing is rushed or far-fetched, it progresses at a realistic rate and it really does look like they are in love. The rest of the cast are also strong but it's all about the two leads.

Visually, 'On Body and Soul' is very well made. It is beautifully filmed and a lot of the imagery is splendidly unsettling. The music is hauntingly beautiful and Ildiko Enyedi's direction is controlled and intelligent, excelling in the connection between human and animal behaviour and the depiction of the alienation of modern urbane living.

The script is nuanced, poignant and thought-provoking, with some pertinent points made about the subjects it explores. Pacing is deliberate but never dull.

Summing up, a very good and often very moving film. 8/10 Bethany Cox