Review of Belle de Jour (1967) by David F — 14 Apr 2014
Luis Bunuel's daring and provocative tale of a young and beautiful wife's decent into the seamy, yet high-class, brothels of Paris has lost some of its ability to shock, but it remains a hypnotizing, though at times clinical, foray into dark themes of sexuality and symbolism.
Catherine Deneuve is riveting as Severine, a woman unable to respond intimately with her husband, while at the same time fulfilling her darkest impulses as a paid escort. Severine's adventures with her clientele present an amusing and at times disturbing cavalcade of fetishes and bizarre tableau, but Bunuel's cold and detached treatment of the material keep it from veering into absurdity.
This review of Belle de Jour (1967) was written by David F on 14 Apr 2014.
Belle de Jour has generally received very positive reviews.
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