Review of That Obscure Object of Desire (1977) by Sushanna M — 25 Dec 2008

Very interesting last film of Luis Bunuel. I can't say the confusion it generates doesn't frustrate me, because on some very small level, it does. but that's a general truth about me, I do appreciate some certainty, even in metaphors.

So, the movie has two dimensions, one of which is much more stressed in the film.

we have the straight-forward story - the obsession of a man with a young woman who plays with him, uses him (for fun, money, either, both) even reaching perversity while doing so; I really liked the touch of using two actresses, even if it was an accident, it worked perfectly dividing the character, showing her lack of mental consistency, and also, maybe a sole conscience. on another note, Matheo's obsession is much easier to understand, she represents the "forbidden fruit", constantly changing and confusing him, never allowing his interest to completely fade away.

The second framework is provided by the terrorist attacks being thrown into the movie every now and again, and at the ending. we also find out who the extremist groups on both sides were and their chaotic destination through confrontation. also, the bloody piece of lace the woman tries to repare has probably kept most people guessing what it symbolized.

The idea that all of the movie blends the incompatibility and games between a man and a woman with political metaphors of war and different ideologies is simply brilliant. everything fits very well when this probability arises, and the backstory of the symbolism brings about a new wave of intrigue. the ending, the way these two keep playing cat and mouse, they receive a new meaning.Bunuel does an excellent job in achieving this in the movie. or so I thought.

The second view probably feels like a first view, in this light.