The Michigan Daily-Wednesday, May 3, 1878-Page 9
Bunuel's new 'Object'

(Continud from Pages8)
her if their love is consummated; thus,
Mathieu is forced to stifle his desire un-
til she feels "ready." By the time she
agrees to travel to his country retreat,
then hops into bed in short pants ador-
ned with atomic-resistant stitching,
i.e., an embroidered chastity belt,
people in the audience were groaning in
vicarious frustration.
MENTION SHOULD probably be
made of the film's most striking oddity,
namely that the part of Conchita is
played by two women (Angela Molina
and Carole Bouquet). One could spend
many hours deciding why Bunuel in-
stituted this surrealist ploy, but it is
probably better to avoid sweating it.
The constant switching between the two
lends the singular story a sprinkle of
variation, as well as providing some
superficial substance to a character
whose depth and motivations have been
rather sketchily outlined. This last
problem is to be expected, though,
because That Obscure Object remains
very much the story of Mathieu (and
his attendant bourgeoisie concerns);
the use of two actresses may demon-.
strate Mathieu's indifference to a
woman's character, but it emphasizes
the fact that her character is essen-
tially a projection of his own fantasies,
guilts, and obsessions.
BUT THEN it is evident that Bunuel
is not abundantly fascinated with
character. Indeed, the death of his

protagonist isn't significant enough in
context to merit raising an eyebrow:
Like Truffaut, with The Story of Adele
H, the director's concern here lies with
the action, with the ideas that are
played out, and not in forging a
realistically structured narrative in
which we may separate characters
from their principles (or lack thereof).
The ambiguous sexual story is pep-
pered with sudden, extreme terrorist
actions - actions that are instantly
forgotten, both by Mathieu and by us..
Part of the point may exist in the very
randomness of these events, but one
also feels Bunuel's own contempt
lingering when Mathieu issues some
bland reprehensive comment as he
spies the latest terrorist activity in the
morning newspaper.
It is the film's cheeky spirit, though,
that makes it enjoyable. That Obscure
Object is by no meeans languid, but it
drifts along in an extremely linear,
simple fashion, which makes the ex-
perience of watching it something like
digesting a croissant. This airy style
occasionally takes its toll - there
seems to be nothing beneath the surface
- but the action is generally peppered
with enough joking and underhanded
jibes (one terrorist organization is
named R.A.I.J. - the Revolutionary
Army of the infant Jesus) to keep that
surface popping.
Some claim that Bunuel's discarding
his acidity is tantamount to a sell-out.
Even they would have to concede that

,AL JARREAU
WEDNESDAY, MAY 3-HILL AUD.-8 P.M.
Reserved Seats $6.50, $5.50, & $4.50
Tickets available at the Michigan Union Box Office (763-2071) M-F 11:30-5:30.
Tickets available night of show at Hill Aud. beginning at 6 p.m. sorry, no
personal checks.
Please, no smoking or drinking in auditorium.

OFFICE OF MAJOR EVENTS presents
WARREN ZEVON
WED., MAY 24, POWER CENTER, 8 P.M.
RESERVED SEATS $7, $6
Tickets go on sole Thursday, May 4, at Mich. Union Box Office (763-2071)
Mon.-Fri. 11:30-5:30. No personal checks.
p ease{ no smoking and beyyr ~e iqaudit)r ,,u


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