Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

That Obscure Object of Desire Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov January 6, 2021

Luis Buñuel's "That Obscure Object of Desire" (1977) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The supplemental features on the disc include archival program with writer Jean-Claude Carriere; archival program with Carole Bouquet and Ángela Molina; excerpts from Jacques de Baroncelli’s silent film La femme et le pantin; and more. In French or English, with optional English subtitles for the main feature. Region-A "locked".

Let me tell you a story

The main protagonist in Luis Buñuel’s That Obscure Object of Desire is a wealthy, middle-aged Frenchman (Fernando Rey, Tristana, The French Connection) who is always impeccably dressed and polite. He loves spending time in chic restaurants and bars, and when he drinks, he likes to have a cigar.

One day, Don Mathieu discovers that the beautiful Conchita (Carole Bouquet/Angela Molina) works as a chambermaid in his house. He immediately makes a move but she walks out on him and on the following day quits. The rejection inspires Don Mathieu to prove to himself that he could still conquer a woman’s heart. He tracks down Conchita, who lives with her mother in a tiny apartment on the outskirts of the city, and gives her an expensive gift, hoping that his generosity will make her realize that his intentions are serious.

Soon after, Conchita warms up to Don Mathieu and even promises to become his mistress. Sensing that he is on the right track, Don Mathieu asks her to come live with him. Then he meets Conchita’s mother and offers her a large sum of money, because this is his way of making his intentions official. She accepts the money, but immediately after that Conchita writes to Don Mathieu to let him know that her heart cannot be bought. At first confused and then enormously annoyed, Don Mathieu makes sure that Conchita and her mother are promptly kicked out of their apartment.

The Frenchman and the object of his desire meet again in a chic bistro where she hands the customers their coats. Convinced that he overacted after he received her letter, Don Mathieu immediately offers Conchita a new life. They head to his lavish summer house in the countryside, where Don Mathieu hopes to make love to the beautiful girl. But upon arrival Conchita reveals to him that she is still a virgin and asks that he is patient with her. Then, just in case, she puts on a pair of very tight leather shorts, which can frustrate even men as determined and as experienced as Don Mathieu. Once again, the old man becomes annoyed, and then goes berserk and kicks Conchita out of the house.

The beautiful girl ends up in Seville, and Don Mathieu promptly follows her. They meet again in a busy bar where Conchita dances for men looking to get rid of their cash. When she confesses to him that what she did in France was only to test his love, Don Mathieu buys her an expensive home and assures her that she would never ever have to work again. Convinced that this is the glorious time when he would finally be able to make love to Conchita, Don Mathieu hands out the key.

Loosely based on the novel by Pierre Louys and scripted by the great Jean-Claude Carriere, Buñuel’s final film takes aim at a familiar target -- the rich and privileged as well as their desires and obsessions.

The film is irresistibly funny and at the same time seriously sad. It is funny because Don Mathieu’s inexorable desire to win Conchita’s heart creates some truly awkward situations where the old man is essentially repeatedly humiliated. It is sad because for a long time he does not realize that he could never have the woman his imagination has created. But because he is a product of a different environment where everything has a price, Don Mathieu is convinced that it is only a matter of time before Conchita falls in his hands.

The deliciously perverse overtones that appear in many of Buñuel’s best films are also present here. They are easily detectable in the sequences where Rey is seen either with Bouquet or Molina. Bouquet’s character is notably cold and ready to abuse if she must. Molina plays the warmer and gentler beauty that is more likely to fulfill the old man’s wishes.

There are also a few of those typical for Buñuel’s films surreal moments where fantasy and reality seem to overlap. Here bombs explode and terrorists come out of nowhere, shoot strangers for no apparent reason and then disappear into the night.

*In 1978, That Obscure Object of Desire earned Oscar nominations for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Luis Buñuel/Jean-Claude Carriere).

That Obscure Object of Desire Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.67:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, That Obscure Object of Desire arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.

The following text appears inside the booklet that is provided with this Blu-ray release:

"This new digital transfer of That Obscure Object of Desire was created in high-definition from from a 35mm interpositive and a 35mm magnetic track at Criterion Post."

The only other release of this film that I have seen and own is the one StudioCanal produced in 2012. (You can see our listing and review of this release here). I thought that it offered a good organic presentation of the film. This release offers a presentation of the film that is very similar yet in certain areas notably different. For example, on the new release the density levels are practically identical and in terms of delineation I don't see any substantial improvements either. Grain is better exposed and defined, but I think that the improvement affects primarily the perception of depth. In darker areas, in particular, certain visuals boast slightly better depth, but I still think that the previous release looks solid. Obviously, the larger your screen is, the more prominent the difference will become, because gradually you will begin to appreciate the better grain exposure. There is a clear difference in the area of color reproduction. Some primaries are lusher and there are adjustments that strengthen the balance between the supporting nuances (see screencaptures #1 and 15). Also, color stability is improved. However, highlights remain extremely similar, and in many areas even identical. The entire film looks very clean. All in all, I think that this is a superior presentation that ensures a slightly more pleasing viewing experience. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-A or Region-Free player in order to access its content).

That Obscure Object of Desire Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: French LPCM 1.0 and English Dolby Digital 1.0. Optional English subtitles are provided for the main feature.

The film should be seen with the original French track. It is a solid lossless track that isn't plagued by age-related imperfections. However, some of the actors post-dubbed their lines which is why occasionally unevenness can be detected. This is an unavoidable limitation because it is part of the original soundtrack.

That Obscure Object of Desire Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Lady Doubles - in this archival program, Carole Bouquet and Angela Molina recall their first impressions of Luis Buñuel and discuss their contributions to That Obscure Object of Desire. The two actresses, who became good friends during the production process, also explain how their careers changed after the film was released. The interview was conducted exclusively for Studio Canal in 2012. In French and Spanish, with optional English subtitles. (38 min, 1080p).

• La Femme at le Pantin/The Woman and the Puppet - Pierre Louys' 1898 novel The Woman the Puppet has been adapted for the screen at least six times. Jacques de Baroncelli's 1929 film apparently influenced Luis Bunuel when he began working on his adaptation of the novel That Obscure Object of Desire. Presented here are three scenes from Baroncelli's film. With music, French intertitles, and optional English subtitles.
  
  1. Conchita Dances. (3 min, 1080i).
  2. Humiliation. (5 min, 1080i).
  3. Fight. (4 min, 1080i).

• Jean-Claude Carriere - in this long video interview, writer Jean-Claude Carriere discusses his professional relationship with Luis Bunuel and his working methods, as well as his contribution to That Obscure Object of Desire and interaction with various cast members. (Carriere worked with Buñuel on many of his acclaimed films, including Belle de jour, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, and The Phantom of Liberty). The interview was conducted exclusively for Criterion in 2000. In English. (19 min, 1080i).

• Portrait of an Impatient Filmmaker - in this archival program, assistant director Pierre Lary and cinematographer Edmond Richard recall why nd how Luis Buñuel decided to replace Maria Schneider (Last Tango in Paris) with Carole Bouquet and Angela Molina after shooting of That Obscure Object of Desire had already begun. The program was produced in 2012. In French, with optional English subtitles. (17 min, 1080i).

• Remembering Bunuel - presented here is a segment of the French program Allons au cinema in which Jean-Claude Carriere, actors Fernando Ray, Michel Piccoli, Muni, and Julien Bertheau, critic Robert Benayoun, producers Serge Silberman and Claude Jaeger, and publicist Georges Cravenne discuss their professional relationships and work with Luis Bunuel. The segment was filmed in 1977. In French, with optional English subtitles. (32 min, 1080i).

• Carriere, Rey, and Silberman - presented here is an episode of the French television program Le Monde du cinema featuring Jean-Claude Carriere, Fernando Rey, and Serge Silberman. The bulk of the information that is shared in it addresses the conception of That Obscure Object of Desire and the Luis Bunuel's directing methods. The episode was broadcast in 1977. In French, with optional English subtitles. (16 min, 1080i).

• Trailer - an original vintage French trailer for That Obscure Object of Desire. In French, with printed English subtitles. (2 min, 1080i).

• Booklet - 58-page illustrated booklet featuring essays by critics Adrian Martin and Gary Indiana as well as three archival interviews with Luis Bunuel conducted by Jose de la Colina and Tomas Perez Turrent and technical credits.

That Obscure Object of Desire Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Luis Buñuel's final film, That Obscure Object of Desire, takes aim at a familiar target -- the rich and privileged as well as their desires and obsessions. It is a delicious piece of satire from one of cinema's greatest masters. The film is included in this three-disc box set from Criterion, together with The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie and The Phantom of Liberty. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.