A surreal, virtually plotless series of dreams centered around six middle-class people and their consistently interrupted attempts to have a meal together.
Innovative, many layered and provocative.
It weaves games of dream and reality as the sextet wander through increasingly absurd set-ups. Patriarchal authority and polite social rituals are slyly undermined, and the cast play it impeccably.
Buñuel’s gigglesome, troubling Surrealist tract.
An exotic and brilliant hothouse flower of a film.
Manages to be totally surreal yet totally approachable. Quite amazing.
It may slightly overstay its welcome but it's pleasant company and provides plenty food for thought.
The film marked the third of Buñuel's six collaborations with screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière and won the 1972 Oscar for Best Foreign Film. It showed that even at the grand old age of 72, there was still plenty of life (and mischief) in this grand master of surrealist cinema.
Jean-Claude Carriere: 'If you want fame, don't be a screenwriter'
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Monday July 23, 2012, until Wednesday July 25, 2012. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/
Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday July 27, 2012, until Thursday August 2, 2012. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com
RSS feed of Cinema reviews