what a brilliant film!
Fernando Rey is his usual amusing self in this beautifully done satire. One piece of Bunuel's genius was the uncanny ability to take satire to the very razor's edge of farce...and pull slightly back, repeatedly. I can't think of any director who made such gloriously different classics, such as Los Olvidados (a searing social commentary in documentary form), Belle du Jour (an itchy middle-class housewife melodrama made fascinating by its insight and performances), Viridiana and Tristana, and the Discrete (and many others).
In this film, terrorists, diplomats, military officers and soldiers, ill-fitting clerics all conspire to ruin the planned dinners of a group of bourgeoisie. How gauche!
No one was like Bunuel, no one.
The DVD's second disc is a fascinating documentary on him. Luis had attended an academy alongside Lorca and Dali. What a class!
Bunuel, when already an old man, noted that his sexual desires had faded, but that he didn't miss them: he only wished for stronger lungs and kidneys so as to be able to drink and smoke more (he loved dry martinis, and seemed to down them regularly throughout the day; cigars also he loved).
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Topic - The Discrete Charm of the Bourgeoisie: - tinear 17:14:33 07/07/05 (5)
- He-he, I guess I always have my monocle on - Victor Khomenko 18:16:35 07/07/05 (2)
- The bedroom scene, with guests knocking at the door, is very sexy and the restaurant scene... - clarkjohnsen 08:26:59 07/08/05 (0)
- She was Babette? How deliciously ironic. Thinking back a day, I'd - tinear 05:15:55 07/08/05 (0)
- I would rather watch a DiCaprio festival than have to see it again. It is pure crap . . . - mr grits 17:56:58 07/07/05 (1)
- Bah, it's great, as are all of Buñuel's films. - Donald 19:57:52 07/07/05 (0)