Body & Soul

This was a superb story of a nun in conflict with her life choices and movement in her nunnery to her transitional departure due to family issues. Kristin Scott Thomas was superb as she ALWAYS is in whatever work she performs. The plot was intricate yet inviting as you moved through the 6 episodes or so of her life and choices. I felt the acting was very good by one and all, the setting interesting and unique and the storyline was really, really good in enticing us to watch more and stirring the desire to "finish" what was started. Pretty outstanding drama as MANY British productions tend to be these days COMPARED with those of Hollywood, USA. I don't know why this is but I continue to find it true.

I've read the book countless times, and the series pales in comparison. I thought that the writers of the teleplay made more changes than were absolutely necessary (why change the family's name, for example?), and that some of the spirit of the book was missing.

I have always regarded this book as the story of a woman who comes of age both spiritually and emotionally. She has to decide what is important to her, and why. In the book, her struggle to make the best decisions for her future is played out more. We see more of her relationship with the other nuns, and we see how her leaving affects them. In the film, the only other nun we really get to see is Sister Dominic.

In the film, her reasons for leaving appeared to be more cut and dry. In the book there is a lot more nuance. I can't not recommend the film, but I can recommend that those who liked it read the book. It's beautiful.

I thoroughly enjoyed this mini-series and feel it's as poignant in 2021 as it was when made in 1993. The acting is universally outstanding. Kristen Scott Thomas is simply amazing! She's probably in 490 of the 500 minutes, and she carries every scene deftly and gracefully.

Interestingly, my wife would gives the series a B+, whereas I give it an A-. Some of the characters are one-dimensional, and arguably the plot is straightforward. However, the strength of the performances and the directing outweigh those elements in my opinion. Also, the journey is often more interesting than the destination.

There are few series that so significantly explore many aspects of living a nun's life, which I find compelling and interesting, as well.

Of note, the third episode is slow, but stick with it because the story picks up strongly again in episode four, and stays that way through the finish.

Body & Soul is well worth your consideration, offers a compelling set of characters and story, and presents extremely well long after it's making. You should absolutely give it a go and will likely find much to enjoy.

This is a wonderful showcase for Kristin Scott Thomas' talent -- incroyable! Her Anna Gibson/Sister Gabriel is exquisitely conflicted. Her 1993 Chicago Film Festival win for this film was quite well-deserved. Amanda Redmond is fantastic as Anna's sister-in-law, Lynn, and I adored Madeleine Christie's Sister Godric. Must see!

What a wild career K.S. Thomas has had. I found this doing a 'Brit' search of Prime this week. There is a real woman sensibility apparent here. Adult, reasoned, understated yet effective. My mother took me to see The Nuns Story when I was age 6. Rather minimalist for a Catholic preadolescent but sacrifice for the spiritual life is kinda baked into the C cake! Some know of which I speak! 1993 is still early in Brit tv production value fortunes. The cinematography kinda sucks. Choices made can only be for budget constraints. I didn't dig the look. But Scott transcends every screen second. Don't believe me? Please just... I gotta go but more people should see this and not annoy me with clever non habit forming reasoning.