DVD Review: That Obscure Object of Desire (A)

That Obscure Object of Desire (1977)
Directed by Luis Bunuel
Starring Fernando Rey, Carol Bouquet and Angela Molina
MPAA: R
Grade: A

Review by Scott Standish

Luis Bunuel is one of my favorite directors and for my money, That Obscure Object of Desire ranks right up there with his best. A simple story of sexual frustration set against a background of rampant terrorism this film holds up extremely well today.

Fernando Rey (Don Rafael from Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie) stars as Mathieu, a wealthy man who falls deeply in love with a beautiful young girl named Conchita. Bunuel cleverly has two different actress play the role of Conchita (Carol Bouquet and Angela Molina), simply swapping them out at random to show the two faced nature of this character. Conchita is a user. She constantly promises to give herself to him, only to deny him at the very height of passion. It is strongly hinted that she is using the money he gives her to fund terrorism. It's obvious that Conchita enjoys torturing the poor old Mathieu and if the truth were to be told, he probably enjoys the pain she inflicts on him in some way (or why would he keep coming back for more?)

A clever film that does exactly what it sets out to do (fantastic ending, by the way) That Obscure Object of Desire is a classic that is required viewing for all lovers of foreign cinema. That Obscure Object of Desire was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the 1978 Academy Awards, and it won the Best Foreign Film award from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards and National Board of Review.

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