Review for That Obscure Object Of Desire

Until this recent focus by Studio Canal on releasing Blu-Ray editions of Bunuel’s more popular work, we in the UK more or less had to rely on a Bunuel DVD box set, supplemented by a couple of excellent freebie releases in The Guardian of ‘Viridiana’ and ‘Exterminating Angel’, arguably masterpieces both (and cheap as chips on Ebay of course).

So the big questions for Bunuel fans is …is it worth the double-dip?

‘That Obscure Object of Desire’ was actually Bunuel’s last film, produced in 1977 and based on a novel from 70 years before that.

It’s a familiar theme. Old geezer chases young chicks. He just can’t help himself! Indeed, his lust turns to infatuation and the inevitability of unrequited lust and frustration stays core to the narrative. But this is a Bunuel movie. So the object of his passion is played by not one but two identically dressed females. He never notices, but we do. (A technique borrowed by Lynch some years later).

The man, Mathieu, (played by Bunuel favourite Fernando Rey – you’ll have seen him in ‘Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie’ for example) is setting out on a train journey with his faithful valet. As he is leaving, a young woman runs alongside the train and pleads with him to stay. In true Bunuel fashion, the man responds by throwing an entire bucket of water at her. Naturally the other passengers are intrigued. So he sets out to tell the story. Cue flashbacks.

The object of his desire is called Conchita (Carole Bouquet plays the more accessible and personable side of her character whilst Angela Molina plays the moody, contrary but sexy version).

Another dig at formalised religion (and Bunuel was, at times in his life, a practising catholic), Conchita’s mother is a seemingly religious woman, though this doesn’t stop

By the time we reach the ‘sex scenes’, with Mathieu battling with Conchita’s chastity belt, it all seems to go a bit ‘Benny Hill’ – not necessarily a bad thing of course. And the nude dance scene arguably was what drove so many to the film in the first place!

If you know and like Bunuel, then you will, to some degree know what to expect here. Crackling dialogue, interesting cinematography, tight direction and a soupcon of surrealism (Why is that lady carrying a baby pig in blankets for example?) as well as a healthy kick up the backside of the middle-aged bourgeoisie that, to a large extent, Bunuel himself had become a part of.

The Blu-Ray transfer is good – but not stunning. I am unsure it warrants a double-dip. It’s certainly been tidied up, or maybe a better source print used, but it just doesn’t have that crisp, sparkling definition that others in the series have achieved (‘The Trial’ for example). For my part, more contrast would have been welcome. Of course much of this depends on the original film condition and grading, of which I have no knowledge.

The extras are fine, as far as they go,comprising four interviews with the female leads, and the production team.

Worth getting if you don’t have the DVD already.