Watch The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie is a 1972 surrealist film directed by the Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel. The film is known for its witty satire and criticism of the bourgeoisie and their social habits. The movie revolves around a group of upper-class friends who attempt to have a dinner party, but are continually interrupted by various surreal occurrences.

The story begins with four friends trying to get together to have dinner, but they keep being interrupted by strange events. The movie then jumps to a variety of dream-like sequences, each one portraying the bourgeoisie in a different way. In one scene, the group tries to have dinner at a friend's house but accidentally end up at a military encampment where they are mistaken for revolutionary guerrillas. In another, they try to have dinner at a restaurant, but the service is so bad that they end up eating random items from the bar.

Throughout the movie, Buñuel uses the surrealism genre to critique the bourgeoisie and their values, drawing attention to some of the ridiculous aspects of their behavior. The film mocks their ritualistic tendencies, as well as their obsession with status symbols, religion, and sex.

The cast of The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie consists of a talented group of actors, each of whom brings a unique perspective to the film. The lead, Fernando Rey, plays Rafael, a wealthy diplomat who is constantly trying to organize the dinner parties with his friends, and who seems to be the most level-headed member of the group. Delphine Seyrig, known for her role in another surreal classic, Last Year at Marienbad, plays his wife, Simone, a woman who is often preoccupied with her own dreams and fantasies. Paul Frankeur plays Henri, a business owner who is always interested in sex and has a tendency to fall asleep at inappropriate moments.

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie is not a typical Hollywood movie; rather, it's a product of the 1960s and 1970s era of independent cinema. As such, it doesn't follow a traditional narrative structure, but rather moves along in a surreal dream-like state, with the story jumping from one bizarre scenario to another.

The cinematography of the movie is also noteworthy; the dreamlike visuals capture the surrealism and absurdity of the story perfectly. Buñuel uses a variety of techniques, such as overlapping scenes, replays, and flashbacks, to create a sense of uncertainty and disorientation, which adds to the surrealism of the film.

Overall, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie is a witty and biting comedy that offers a unique perspective on the bourgeoisie and their social habits. The film's surrealism and humor are masterfully executed, and its message is thought-provoking and enduring. With a talented cast and exceptional cinematography, it's no wonder why the film has become a classic of the surrealist genre.

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie is a 1972 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received outstanding reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8 and a MetaScore of 93.