Soul Matters (2017)

I suppose I should probably mention IMDB. It’s that one corner of the internet where everyone feels qualified to be a critic, isn't it? I mean, I guess you could call it a database, but let's be honest—it's mostly just a digital shouting match for people who think watching a blockbuster makes them an expert on cinematography. I don't know. Maybe I'm just being cynical, but there's something about those user ratings that always feels... off. It's rarely a reflection of actual quality; it's more like a popularity contest for whatever studio happened to spend the most on marketing this month. It's exhausting, really.

It was that Canadian drama that picked up the Golden Bear back in 2017. I believe it even snagged an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature that same year.

So, here’s the gist of the plot: We follow this guy working at a meatpacking plant. Everything seems pretty routine until a new quality control inspector gets hired. But then things take a weird, surreal turn—it turns out he can actually communicate with her through his dreams. From there, this strange, ethereal relationship starts to develop between them. I guess you could say it's a bit unconventional.

I haven't gotten around to watching it yet, though I suppose it looks pretty interesting.

It’s sitting at an 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, which works out to about a 7.34 average, I think. On Metacritic, it pulled a 77 out of 100, and then there’s the IMDb crowd giving it a 7.6. It’s decent, I guess. Maybe even a little better than the critics suggest.

The lead actress actually managed to snag an Oscar for Best Actress. I guess she finally got the recognition she deserves.

In case anyone actually cares, here it is. The trailer just dropped. I’ve watched it three times now, trying to make sense of what we’re actually looking at here. It’s... a lot. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure if I’m feeling optimistic or just deeply skeptical. Maybe that’s my default setting at this point. There’s a certain tension in the editing that feels intentional, though I suspect it might just be masking a thin plot. The visuals look expensive—obviously—but high production value doesn't always translate to substance. I guess we'll see if the actual film can live up to the spectacle. For now, I'm holding my breath, but probably not in an optimistic way..

Why on earth would you start a thread about a movie you haven't even seen yet?

goldenhound32 said:Why on earth would you start a thread about a movie you haven't even seen?

Give it a rest and stop bothering everyone.

goldenhound32 said:Why on earth would you start a thread for a movie you haven't even seen yet?

Well, if it won the "Movie of the Week" award, I figured I had to. That’s just how things work, I guess. Maybe someone else will catch it before I do and spoil the whole thing for me anyway.

It’s all fine, I suppose. Most of these discussions about movies probably got kicked off back when people were first starting to film them anyway.

Harold Chavez6 said:Well, if he actually won the "Movie of the Week" vote, then I suppose I had to chime in. That’s just how the game is played, isn't it? Someone else might catch it before I do and form an opinion, and I'd rather not be left behind.

I haven't been keeping up with this thread lately, so I was completely unaware it had been designated the movie of the week.

My apologies.

The cinematography in this film is just stunning; honestly, the camera work was what really grabbed me. Even though both Mary and Andrew give such incredible performances, her portrayal of a girl trapped in her own psychological struggles is just masterfully done. Because she’s navigating those raw, newfound emotions—things like love and friendship—for the first time, everything feels so much more intense than it would for a typical person. I can't be sure if I've fully grasped the depth of her backstory, though, since we don't know anything about where she came from, which I assume isn't really meant to be shown...

It’s about this girl on the spectrum who struggles with emotional intelligence, trying to find a way to connect, and her dreams end up being the only thing that actually helps her bridge the gap to another person in the real world.

First off, I really loved how steady the pacing felt. The acting is super grounded—not stiff at all—which makes everything feel so much more believable.

There is honestly so much packed into this movie, yet somehow it stays simple despite all those layers. Plus, that corporate office setting? It fits perfectly. It actually drives the plot forward... things that seem totally disconnected at first start making total sense as the story unfolds.

At its heart, it's just a story about two quirky, maybe even slightly broken people, both in their own ways, learning how to communicate and understand one another. In their dreams, they don't need a translator. (Well, okay, they still do, but since they're free from all those real-world hurdles there... you know what I mean...)

He’s portrayed with all those classic mistakes people make when getting into a relationship, while she approaches everything like a complete overachiever. That’s where we get those darkly hilarious moments, like when she gets super close to watch a couple in a romantic moment, thinking she can somehow learn the mechanics of touch and tenderness by observing them. 😁

So, there's this heavy theme of isolation, too. Even though the whole movie has this chilly, almost morbid vibe, by the end, you actually feel this sudden wave of warmth. It’s definitely one of those weirdly romantic movies where, despite being dark and strange, it feels... purely human.

Mark Cruz15 said:I'm not sure if I fully grasped her backstory because we don't know anything about where she came from, and I guess it isn't really shown.

You don't even need to know! For the story they wanted to tell, it works perfectly without it. She's an enigma, sure, and maybe not the most realistic character ever, but the focus is really on their connection and how they change through the journey.

Oh, and P.S.—I really think American filmmakers should give more credit to international cinema. Not that they lack ideas or great hits! Sure, there's the classics, but a few years back I watched some incredible indie stuff from overseas and now I'm just left thinking: I need more! I need more! 😬

Thanks so much, Mark Cruz15! I’m definitely going to go through that list you sent. Honestly, my gut feeling was just that even with the little bit I've seen, their stuff is incredible... I really don't want to force myself into watching their other 🙂
though.
A buddy actually suggested I check out some of Palfia's older work too, but so far I've only managed to catch Taxidermiu. It’s a bit twisted, but man, it's good!

Besides On Body And Soul, I know they have a few other award-winners and even some Oscar contenders floating around... definitely need to look those up when I have a sec.

Steven Newman50, I really dig this review of yours. 🙂 Maybe I’ll actually get around to watching it tomorrow, I'm pretty curious now. Honestly, I only added this movie to my watchlist because I've heard the director's name pop up so many times, even though I haven't seen a single thing she's done...

Steven Newman50 said:the corporate setting which adds a nice touch to the plot (...)

I don't know if I can even stomach watching this, especially since movies almost never show scenes like this realistically. They always sugarcoat reality... but hey, maybe it'll surprise me.

Lisa Davis46 said:Steven Newman50, I absolutely loved your review! 🙂 I might try to catch it tomorrow, now that you've piqued my interest. Honestly, I only voted for this film because I've heard the director's name pop up so many times, even though I haven't actually seen any of her work yet...

You definitely should watch it, totally worth the time 🙂

I'm not sure if I can handle watching this, especially since movies rarely show scenes like that accurately. They usually sugarcoat reality... but hey, maybe it'll surprise me.

Actually, I didn't think the setting would be such a huge part of the plot, but the work at the meatpacking plant was shown pretty realistically, if that's what you're asking. Basically, the routine isn't even the main focus—it's just there as background—but it's still an industry, something everyday and normal. They didn't go out of their way to censor it or soften the blow for the audience. But more importantly for the story, it's about their relationship. At the end of the day, they're just coworkers who have to deal with each other every single shift.

Can't wait to hear what you think! 🙂