The Exterminating Angel

Luis Buñuel is a surrealist filmmaker. This is hard to accomplish within the realm of film, for many gestures can be taken as wanton or purposeful ones. But when Buñuel tells his story in THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL, things fall into place seamlessly. He begins with a party. The servants are strangely leaving, they all have different reasons, none of which are very convincing. All they know is that they must leave. The guest arrive. They actually arrive twice, once from a low angle shot, the second time from a high angle shot. Nevertheless, despite these strange beginnings, the party goes well, and far into the night. A woman plays the piano, people gossip, and by the time its around 5am, everyone just stays the night. However, when the morning comes, small groups of people begin to discuss why no one has made any attempt to leave the room. As this realization becomes apparent within the group as a whole, they panic. There is no explanation for why no one can leave. And no one can get inside the house as well. "We sent soldiers in around 6PM and now they're back at home enjoying a drink". "They never really tried to get in." Buñuel handles the material well, his actors are intense and focused, plotting and complex. But despite their schemes, the simple answer to their predicament would be to just walk out the front door. They are not able. I do not know what Buñuel's statement here is. It is clear that he believes that in confined, claustrophobic spaces, people become savage. But why can the guests not leave? Why are they stuck? My theory is that this is a statement on complacency or perhaps even on laziness. Are they not convicted enough? Do they think they will be saved, and thus wait? Either way, Buñuel's surreal film is wonderfully crafted, and a joy to be puzzled with.
The Exterminating Angel: ★★★★