The Exterminating Angel Details

[Highly rated reviewer]

A great director at work

This film from the Spanish director Luis Bunuel was made cheaply in Mexico, Bunuel being unable to work regularly in Franco's Spain (his previous film, 'Viridiana', had been banned as blasphemy). The film tells the story of a group of well to do people who meet for dinner in a mansion and inexplicably find themselves unable to leave. This is fertile ground for Bunuel to explore the more rediculous aspects of human nature that emerge even among the most refined when their world is turned upside down: there is a beast lurking in all of us. Along the way Bunuel gives us many laughs at the expense of people made ridiculous by their strange change of circumstances. You can also see it as a joke about parties that go boringly on and on. Unlike most of his films it is the group of 'bourgeosie' that come to his attention here rather than the individual. His rigorous film treatment reveals how the various consolations of life (wealth, position, religion, music) that give our lives 'meaning' are quite simply hanging by a thread. This is a low budget film but, through his artistry, Bunuel makes it look very classy. Particularly compelling is the contrast he manages to achieve between the clausrophobic interior of the mansion and the world in the street outside with just a few different camera shots. And you may never feel the same about a simple flock of sheep again. (See 'Discreet charm of the bourgeiosie' for a similarly daring take on this subject.)

Good surreal film

Twenty or so high society types get together for a dinner party,but for some reason none of them can leave afterwards.They literally can not walk through the wide open doors.Sounds strange,but then it is surrealism.

I remember seeing this film about ten years ago and really enjoyed it,but had forgotten how the situation of not being able to leave the room was resolved,and also how the film ended.It was totally cool how the situation was resolved and a great ending too.