1972, genuinely surrealist piece from Luis Bunuel.
Again, the minimalist direction. Used here to heighten the distancing effect, the way that the characters seem to be following a disconnected script.
The plot, of the delayed meal, always stays on the side of the just about plausible. Bunuel has a funny habit of doing this; his partner in crime (late French period) Carriere talks of how they did not want to create anything too much, too grating, and indeed in a twisted way everything here could actually happen. The dream/wake could almost be a cliche now, but it is paced well enough to get away.
Our personal favourite moments? The rather matter of fact way that they turn out be cociane dealers, and also the almost sympathetic portrayal of the priest, that is if Bunuel could non-ironically see the value of a gardener.
This film is meant to be relatively sympathetic about the bourgeoisie, but there is little evidence of that really. These people come across as deluded, directionless. Not that anyone else is portrayed better, but they seem truly sightless.
Quite a one-dimensional film in a way, but what it does explore it does with wit and finesse. Another excellent piece.
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