Wednesday, July 1, 2009

1962 - Bunuel's THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL and don't ask me to explain it

Don't ask me to explain it. Luis Bunuel surrealist filmmaker filmed this little "love letter" to the upper classes in 1961. I would bet that Rod Serling watched it a couple of hundred times since it has a real Twilight Zone buzz to it.

 

A group of dinner companions find themselves for some reason trapped in a room in an upper class house. Unable to leave, they slowly turn on each other as their less then best behaviors start to creep out.
 
 Bunuel was such a talented filmmaker that he was able to keep this potentially "johnny one note" idea constantly interesting and more importantly entertaining. He was also smart enough to know when to add his famous surrealist touches and when to keep the story moving.
 


Luis Bunuel had lots of highs and lows in his career. He had to walk the fine line between commercial responsibility and artistic integrity. He was also smart enough not to bore his audience.

Wish I could understand it all but I sure loved that bear wandering around the house.

 95 minutes.

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