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Bunuel the Sisyphus... the heavy, heavy stone of Belle de Jour

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Victor Khomenko

I have experienced that emotion before with this film - its alleged charm evades me... I know I am supposed to love it, but I just can't. An important part is missing.
The problem lies with Catherine Deneuve. She has been completely asexual to me, and that asexuality makes her character strugle, but not reach.
I could think of a couple dozen fine actrsses of that era that would make the film more poignant and believable, in my view - after all, it IS about sexuality.
I know there are those who find her immensely attractive with both her talent and her sex appeal playing equally important roles. And sometimes I wish I was among those. But I just can't see Catherine make love to anything... anyone... and not look fake... cold and mechanical, with no fire inside.
Bunuel has large bag of tricks, and he uses them masterfully. The film is a wonderful setting waiting for a great stone.
Would Anna Karina possibly give us what I am looking for? We shall never know.

Follow Ups:

Deneuve IS "Belle de Jour", no matter how you (dis)like it. And that�s for good reasons, like... - orejones 04:57:34 12/09/05 (0)
...her fiery frozen inner fire (try saying that fast...!), her ambiguousness and, last but not least, Bunuel himself.
Can you imagine any other actress in her role, without destroying the whole atmosphere of that film? That scene with the box...

"Catherine Deneuve is the man I�d always wanted to be", said that deaf genius Bunuel.
Regards
BF
Yvette Mimeux would have been better in the role ( ? ) - grinagog 21:05:22 12/07/05 (2)
About the same age as Ms. Deneuve at that time too
I've always thought Belle de Jour was overrated but pinned that down to a dose of too much subtlety, too much implied in the film rather than expressed, and Bunuel doesn't really carry it off
Grins
- Yes, Yvette had two good things going for her. nt - tinear 05:32:01 12/08/05 (1)
  as
  - Re: A nice pair of personalities? (nt) - Jeff Starrs 08:46:08 12/08/05 (0)
    *

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