Review of Viridiana (1962) by Rainer G — 27 Jun 2009

Viridiana is perfect for what it intends to be: an audacious and searing indictment of organized religion, as well as a biting commentary on Spanish society. Buñuel is certainly a master, and I have no doubt that Viridiana is exactly the film he intended to make.

However, the characters here, I feel, act more as signifiers, rather than full blown human beings. Viridiana, a Catholic nun, and daytime philanthropist, tries with all her heart to do well in the name of god.

But her efforts are only bring her trouble. I wanted to know her, but Buñuel never let me. He used her to prove a point, and her crisis of faith is left, in my mind, under-explored. This holds the film back from the perfection it comes so close to.