Movie No. 121 (2013): THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL

The Exterminating Angel (1967)
Director: Luis Bunuel
Cast: Silvia Pinal, Jose Baviera
In Spanish, with English subtitles

The film is a what-if kind of film. Here the situation is that the guests of a dinner party can't seem to leave when the party's over. There's no reason offered. That's why the film is called surreal. Morning comes. Another day passes. Several days more pass. No one is able to leave. Here, the guests are shown to have succumbed to debasing behaviors, like those of animals', in dealing with boredom, hunger, and thirst. There are heated arguments. There is death. There is suicide. There is this. There is that. 

Like Bunuel's later film, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, this film is a scathing attack of the hypocrisy of social class conventions. And he's done it here in the most absurd and macabre, but effectively satirical way.

Rating: 4.0/4.0

Date seen: May 26, 2013

Comments

Popular Posts