Review of Tristana (1970) by Michael P — 28 Aug 2007

Buñuel was capable of the most subtle of storytelling methods, narrating time, as he did in THE MILKY WAY, in an elusively dream-like fashion (characters have dreams, but the dreams are actually happening as realities elsewhere) and with a casual disregard for convention - Tristana leaves her guardian/lover in one scene, and we cut immediately to two years later with her back on the scene, an otherwise risky technique (for means of credibility) but a rewarding one in this case.

Deneuve and Rey are excellent. Emotionally complex (who do we side on and when and why?), and very rewarding; whether it requires more patience than the likes of the more surreal DISCREET CHARM is down to personal taste.

But even this, one of his most accessible films, is not for everyone.