Viridiana - Criterion Collection
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Movie Reviews of Viridiana - Criterion Collection
Movie Review: a movie that must have meant alot in 1961 franco's spain
Summary: 3 Stars
this is a symbolic movie about social conditions in spain at the time of the dictator franco. it's also a vicious satire with the catholic church as the main villain. although it's interesting it doesn't have much relevance to 2006 usa. it's too specific to a time and place, namely franco's spain. there's also a last supper parody that some may find offensive. the bottom line is, this is a movie for film buffs not the average viewer.Movie Review: THE ONE TRUE VINE
Summary: 5 Stars
Bunuel's films remain among the leading and truly subversive examples of 20th century cinema. And now that most movies are the product of rather large and shall we say committed to the mainstream entertainment corporations, any whiff of the subversive is typically squelched for, well, you tell me. So, we can only hope that someday soon more of his work -- perhaps even "The Exterminating Angel" -- will turn up on Criterion's list of newly restored masterpieces.
Assuming you already know the film (why else would you be looking here?) it's enough to say that Criterion has done their usual and detail-oriented job in bringing sound and image and translations up to the optimal. The extras are actually worth having and worth watching. Combined with the booklet essay and Bunuel interview, this work is set solidly and clearly into its historic and artistic context.
Of course, if you're not yet familiar "Viridiana" or the body of Bunuel's work, it's time to grow up and skip the distractions of various takes on da Vinci codes and risk some exposure to real ideas-- the kind that can change your way of thinking instead of simply reinforcing what you may already know.
Movie Review: Viridiana went where no one had went before
Summary: 5 Stars
Bu?uel finest. You can learn a lot from this movie. The main character saves a dog from a dog's life, but we see another carriage with a dog in a similar situation nearby. The famous ending, changed due to the censorship in Spain, but at the same time working better. The famous 'last dinner' portrayal that gets the picture taken by the female character (Lola Gaos). And we could go on and on. How the most needed are at the same time ruthless with themselves and others. Don't help others blindly, have your feet on the ground and prepare for a counter reaction. Viridiana is a classic that breaks ground and it has lost nothing to time. This movie is as good as it gets.Movie Review: Very Dynamic!
Summary: 5 Stars
I had recently seen "Los Olvidados" by Bunuel and I knew from that that he was a director of great talent. I had the opportunity to watch "Viridiana" and came away even more impressed. In that hour and a half movie, I saw so much that I'm sure that I'll have to watch it a few more times before I get the whole picture. The movie is filled with social and theological commentary as well as an abundance of symbolism. There were times that I laughed heartily, times that I was deeply touched, times that I was uncomfortable, and times that I was in awe.
The story is that of a novice (Viridiana) about to enter the holy orders. She is ready and anxious for that new life to begin but then her mother superior practically has to order to to go spent her few remaining days of freedom with her uncle. There had been little contact between the two over the years so they had to get to know each other again. There are some scenes during this portion of the movie that are rather crude and may be disturbing to some. I understand that the script was cleared by the Spanish censors but then banned before its' release. I'm sure a lot of that comes from this portion of the movie. Yet there is a lot said within this portion such as the aspects of trust, misplaced responsibilities, obsessions, etc.
The next phase of the movie deals with Viridiana's attempt to try to live her life of faith in the "real world" rather than the closed society of a convent. It sounds like just what Jesus would do but the assembled dozen or so poor people that Viridiana takes under her wing make up the main focus for the next portion of the movie. These people are hilarious in a most ironic way. Their own social strata makes a joke out of their pleas for sympathy. Bunuel probably goes a bit overboard with some of this but we don't mind; it's great satire. These beggers serve to challenge the faith of Viridiana. She firmly believes in the need to reach out to the lesser among us. Unfortunately, they continuously spit in her face (figuretively speaking) and practically destroy her own well-being.
Finally, after being challenged in so many ways, Viridiana finds the need to make a choice of direction for her future. This is where I drew the line of enjoying the movie for what it had to say. I don't think Bunuel made his ending (and we all know what it is meant to say) very persuasive. When Viridiana switches from observer to participant, some of us will feel that the case for this has not been made. Viridiana can be forgiven for being disillusioned but not for being disinterested. However, my objection to the tone and nature of the ending does nothing to my appreciation for the greatest that is "Viridiana". I'm going to half to see more of Bunuel. This man has a lot to say and the talent to do so with upmost eloquence.
Movie Review: The reluctant masterpiece of Luis Bu?uel!
Summary: 5 Stars
To make such genial film you need not only the natural gift, but besides the moral conviction and the necessary force to push against all the odds this brutally eloquent portrait of the last consequences involved when you decide to be in straight line according the holly precept of a concrete theologic virtue: the charity.
Just think in the historic moment the film was made. Bu?uel was essentially an anti establishment artist , and his political posture is well known and one of his primary concerns consisted in proving that we are not in the best of the possible worlds and this statement scopes the shade of the Totalitarian Regimes in search a better world for the mankind : the search of the total welfare implies necessarily the demolition of the previous Status Quo. And if you watch with absolute coldness and free or passionless, you will feel this invisible slap in the face of the most devoted believers the human happiness can be stated. The literal mess when the alcohol make his late effects in the middle of this humble crowd , slowly and progressively goes showing the ugliness of the feelings behind the mask of good manners, creating a real atmosphere of claustrophobia and horror in the worst sense of the word. The sinister parody to the last Supper was immediately rejected by many religious sectors: Once more the forest avoided to watch the real intentions of Bu?uel.
This extraordinary, original, powerful and unforgettable film is one the supreme master jewels of the Cinema in any age.
The performance of one of the most beautiful and talented actress in that age: Silvia Pinal as the prodigal nun who really believes in the fact the human still can be redeemable is simply of first rate. And the script deserves simply an everlasting applause. After you watch this merciless picture you will reformulate your inner vision about certain issues you considered out of discussion.