From Belle de Jour to Tristana to Cet obscur objet du desir, my love and hate for his old man has grown unabated.
The same theme, under Francois Ozon, is more pungent and often ends with an inexplicable sense of relief. But Bunuel is no, he always looms over his desires, like Conchita in this movie - bare upper body, but always wearing a pair of weird tight bottoms. The movie is full of images that no one understands but loves to talk about, like the sack, the fly in the cup. The ending of the movie is always surprising. Belle de Jour is a reincarnation ending that leaves one wondering if everything is just the imagination of this beautiful lady. The film, however, folds the scene back into an explosion not long after the opening. Coupled with the recurring riots and terrorist activities in the movie, the meaning of desire seems to have expanded from the love of men and women to power politics, which is a large and transformed thing.
Another major feature of the film is the use of two actresses to alternately play the heroine. Some critics say that Carole Bouquet represents the innocent and pure Conchita, while Angela Molina is the sexy and cunning Conchita. For me, Carole Bouquet is the one who provokes desire the most, while Angela Molina's sexy and slutty is more like a game life's willfulness.
Bunuel is smart and greedy. Both actresses have strong symbolic features themselves. Carole Bouquet's image of a cold beauty hasn't changed in decades - so her occasional laugh and mischievous look are all the more provocative. Angela Molina has the most natural sexy charm of Spanish women. The lethality of these two tones as a woman can be imagined. Therefore, the male protagonist can't stop falling back into his desire again and again, which is not abrupt.
Who said that the most intense desire is the moment that is about to be realized. So, this movie should be in the strongest atmosphere from beginning to end. However, it's Bunuel's film, he never gives the thrill of a shock, but just makes that unfulfilled desire topple in your heart long, long after the movie ends.
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