Review of That Obscure Object of Desire (1977) by Zoran S — 13 Sep 2008
Bunuel's final film and a fitting conclusion to a nearly 50-year career. The two stories, the main one of erotic frustration, and the violence and social disintegration that is referenced through all the terrorism and crime that occurs on the fringes of the narrative, seem strangely disconnected from each other.
That, however, may be the point: the individual psychic mechanisms that dictate desire can never be reconciled with the violence of institutions. Not only can�t you really marry Freud and Marx, but also psychic liberation can never produce social liberation, and vice versa.
Thus, Bunuel�s final film ends with-- the final image of his career in other words, an apocalyptic explosion that consumes the screen. That, perhaps, is the only form of reconciliation possible.
Also, the dwarf psychology professor who only gives private lessons is a classic touch.
This review of That Obscure Object of Desire (1977) was written by Zoran S on 13 Sep 2008.
That Obscure Object of Desire has generally received very positive reviews.
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