DVD Review: Discreet Charm of the Bourgeosie, The (A-)

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeosie (1972)
Directed by Luis Bunuel
Starring Fernando Rey, Paul Frankeur and Delphine Seyrig
MPAA: PG
Grade: A-

Review by Scott Standish

Six rich friends have an informal supper club going, rotating the location for each occasion. However, in the Discreet Charm of the Bourgeosie they actually never get to eat as something unexpected always prevents them. Directed by the master of surrealist cinema Luis Bunuel, this one is a classic that one must not miss.

A subtle mix of comedy and surreal drama, the Discreet Charm of the Bourgeosie opens with a group arriving at a rich young couple's house for dinner. Unfortunately there has been a scheduling mistake as the couple is not expecting the group until the following evening. The group decides to go out for dinner instead. However in the room adjoining the restaurant, the group can hear people weeping. They inspect the other room only to find a funeral underway for the owner as he has just passed away. Finding the scene a bit too morbid, they decide to abandon their dinner altogether.

These type of dining disasters continue to occur yet the group finds the non-stop absurdity completely normal. As the film progresses the reasons for the failures become more and more absurd (visiting soldiers, terrorist assassins, etc). However, despite this insanity the bourgeois friends continue to be gracious to each other.

Winner of the 1973 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, the Discreet Charm of the Bourgeosie is truly a delight to behold. Highly recommended.

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