The Exterminating Angel (1962)
No one escapes from the socialite dinner party.
Presentation:
Luis Buñuel’s has made far reaching films throughout the span of his career, but I’d say his signature film is El ángel exterminador, a satire on social classes and religion. The film is iconic not only for its absurd premise, but also dinner party setting and social commentary. This is technically an avant garde film for its time, but it’s a stretch to even call this an experimental film today, or comedy for that matter. This is a film that attempts to punch up toward the upper class and climbing socialites by trapping them in a house until their true natures reveal themselves. If you’ve watched The Platform, The Menu, or other social critique films, this is where it all started and has influenced the satire genre immensely. But I’m disappointed by the amount of explanatory dialogue and lack of comedy, as this felt more like a serious drama.
Analysis:
Luis Buñuel has a common theme throughout all his films on social classes and religion. This combines the two into one cohesive message revealing that beneath the etiquette and wealth, rich people are still just animals underneath, illustrated by the bear and obedient lamb that fill the house. They can only function in groups and ritual, which is presented as a prison in this film with religion also oppressing human nature in the last scene. It’s somewhat clever but stereotypical artistic pedaling by today’s standards. As Buñuel was close to artists like Dali, it has always been common to make generic roasts toward rich people while selling art pieces to them for hefty sums. The commentary is well made, but I can’t help but feel this film doesn’t escape that hypocrisy.
Conclusion:
The intellectual side of me appreciates this film, but I’d be lying if I said I fully enjoyed the 90 minutes. It’s not boring, but I just expected a little more, which is pretty unfair considering how novel this film was in 1962. What’s undeniable is this film covers massive ground, laying the foundation for satirical commentary for years to come. I think this is better than The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie, but the latter is probably more entertaining. Lambasting the rich never seems to be out of fashion.
Recommendations
No one escapes from the socialite dinner party.