The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (40th anniversary)

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie

(Luis Bunuel, 1972)

Rating: 4/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

Summary: A rollicking patchwork of surrealism, Bunuel's 'The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie' is still fresh 40 years on and now benefits from a wonderful remaster.

---

In 1962, Luis Bunuel created a surrealist masterpiece called 'The Exterminating Angel' which revolved around upper class dinner guests who find that they can't actually leave the party. 10 years later, Bunuel created a companion of sorts: 'The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie' again follows the upper class and their dinner table adventures, but this time six members of the bourgeoisie keep on getting interrupted and don't actually get to have their meal.

That's pretty much it plotwise, but Bunuel knows how to contort stiff character types into wild men and create dreams and absurdity out of very little. The result is as delicious as it is pretentious.

The characters are split between two sectors: businessmen with political connections flanked by their loose wives and then members of the military and the police. The latter are treated as ghosts and firm men; the former are revealed as fakes and white collar criminals. The best character in the film doesn't fall into either camp: a bishop who gets off on gardening for the rich.

Bunuel is playing with us. One notorious scene has the dinner guests sit down to a meal only for a red curtain behind them to open and reveal that they're on a stage. The chicken served is rubber, the whisky is cola and worse than all that, the guests don't know their lines. In the presence of an audience who see them as they are, the bourgeoisie crumble.

The 40th anniversary print has been remastered brilliantly, save for a few minor scenes. Try to catch it on the big screen for its June 29th cinematic re-release. If not, the Blu-ray hits shelves for the first time July 16th and features a critic's examination of the film as a bonus.

Other film news

'The Artist' Oscar winner Jean Dujardin convicted of drunk driving

Jean Dujardin, the French actor who enjoyed worldwide recognition and an Oscar for his work in 'The Artist', has been convicted of driving under the influence.

Arnold Schwarzenegger officially on for 'Terminator 5'

When the Christian Bale reboot of the 'Terminator' franchise misfired at the box office and with the critics, the future of the series was thrown in doubt. Until now. Original series lead star Arnold Schwarzenegger has confirmed the 5th film and his part of the Terminator itself.

'Transformers' director Michael Bay developing 'Ghost Recon' game-to-film adaptation

Director Michael Bay, famed for his big budget action flicks such as 'The Rock' and the 'Transformers' franchise, will develop a screen adaptation of 'Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon', the bestselling espionage action game title.

Jim Carrey and Owen Wilson team up for heist comedy

Comedy stars Jim Carrey and Owen Wilson will team up for a new crime comedy entitled 'Loomis Fargo', according to reports.

Disney sued for harassment and discrimination by 'The Muppets' editor

An assistant film editor has filed a suit citing harassment, gender discrimination and wrongful termination against the Walt Disney company.

Kate Winslet pregnant with third child

Oscar winning 'Titanic' actress Kate Winslet is pregnant with her third child, it has been confirmed. The 'Mildred Pierce' star is expecting her first child with recent husband Ned Rocknroll.

'Skyfall' director Sam Mendes may return to 007 after u-turn in negotiations

'Skyfall' director Sam Mendes previously walked away from working on another James Bond film due to his busy schedule and the pressures of directing such a huge title again, but now it seems that he has returned to the fold.

'Blue Is The Warmest Colour' scoops Cannes top prize

Abdellatif Kechiche's three-hour drama 'La Vie D’Adèle - Chapitre 1 & 2 (Blue Is The Warmest Colour)' has been awarded the top prize (the Palme d'Or) at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

Billy Crystal heads to TV with pilot 'The Comedians'

Veteran actor and frequent Oscars host Billy Crystal is heading to TV: the 'City Slickers' star will front a TV sitcom for network FX entitled 'The Comedians'.

'Exhausted' Ang Lee exits TV pilot 'Tyrant'

Oscar winning film Ang Lee has just backed out from directing his first television show - a TV pilot for the FX network called 'Tyrant'.

Cannes Film Festival rocked by $1m jewellery heist

The stars were shining a little dimmer at this year's Cannes Film Festival after a massive jewellery theft robbed the celebs of their jewels.

Pinewood Studios expansion plan axed by local council

Britain's premiere film lot Pinewood Studios, the home to James Bond and Harry Potter, has lost a £200m planning permission bid for a Hollywood-style expansion across 100 acres of green belt land.

'Avengers' stars Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson reassemble for 'Iron Man' director Jon Favreau's indie comedy

The last time Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson appeared in a film together it was a massive studio production that went on to break box office records. Now the 'Avengers Assemble' stars are reteaming for an independent feature.

Angelina Jolie undergoes double mastectomy after cancer tests

Oscar winning actress Angelina Jolie has undergone a double mastectomy after genetic tests revealed that she held a high risk of developing breast cancer.

Comedian Harry Hill's debut film starts shooting, casts Matt Lucas as his twin

'TV Burp' star Harry Hill's film debut has started shooting with himself in the lead and Matt Lucas as his twin brother alongside Sheridan Smith, 'Inbetweeners' star Simon Bird and Oscar winners Jim Broadbent and veteran actress Julie Walters.

Universal pushes back 'Jurassic Park 4'

'Jurassic Park 4' was due to begin production on June 24th for a release date almost exactly a year later, but studio Universal has pushed it back.

Tributes pour in for Ray Harryhausen, special effects pioneer, dead at 92

When it comes to optical effects in the movies, few have had a career as iconic as Ray Harryhausen, the special effects pioneer who recently died at 92.

Sequels news: 'Men in Black 4' and 'Mission Impossible 5' get the go-ahead

The bank holiday weekend saw not one but two tentpole franchises get the sequel green lights from their studios: 'Men in Black 4' and 'Mission Impossible 5' are on the cards at Sony and Paramount.

'Frasier' star Kelsey Grammer revealed as 'Transformers 4' villain

In somewhat unexpected casting news, TV star Kelsey Grammer (best known as classy radio psychologist Dr Frasier Crane from 'Frasier' and 'Cheers'), has been cast as the lead villain in 'Transformers 4'.

Natalie Portman and Michael Fassbender team up for 'MacBeth' film adaptation

First came the news that Michael Fassbender was onboard, and now it's been confirmed that Oscar winner Natalie Portman will be joining him for a new film version of 'MacBeth'.