The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)
"Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie" (original title)

A surreal, virtually plotless series of dreams centered around six middle-class people and their consistently interrupted attempts to have a meal together.

Director:

Luis Buñuel

Writers:

Luis Buñuel, Jean-Claude Carrière

Stars:

Fernando Rey, Paul Frankeur, Delphine Seyrig

Won 1 Oscar. Another 9 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Fernando Rey	...	Don Rafael Acosta
Paul Frankeur	...	M. Thevenot
Delphine Seyrig	...	Simone Thévenot
Bulle Ogier	...	Florence
Stéphane Audran	...	Alice Sénéchal (as Stephane Audran)
Jean-Pierre Cassel	...	Henri Sénéchal
Julien Bertheau	...	Mgr Dufour
Milena Vukotic	...	Ines
Maria Gabriella Maione	...	Guerilla
Claude Piéplu	...	Colonel
Muni	...	Peasant
Pierre Maguelon	...	Sgt de police
François Maistre	...	Delecluze
Michel Piccoli	...	Ministre
Ellen Bahl

Storyline

Several bourgeois friends planning to get together for dinner experience a succession of highly unusual occurrences that interfere with their expected dining enjoyment.

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Plot Keywords:

dream | class | dinner | heroin | flashback | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Fantasy

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

France Italy Spain

Language:

French Spanish

Release Date:

22 October 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$12,864 (USA) (12 May 2000)

Gross:

$198,809 (USA) (1 December 2000)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Dean Film, Greenwich Film Productions, Jet Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The date Don Rafael tells Florence is his birthday, 22 February, is also director Luis Buñuel's birthday.

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Goofs

After Rafael gives the terrorist champagne, his position in the chair changes between shots.

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Quotes

[The Senechals are preparing to make love. There is a knock at the door.]
M. Senechal: What is it?
Ines: The guests are here, sir.
M. Senechal: Tell them we'll be down. Serve them drinks.
Alice Senechal: They can wait five minutes. Come on.
M. Senechal: No, no, not here. We can't.
Alice Senechal: But why?
M. Senechal: You scream too loud. You know it.

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Connections

Referenced in A Decade Under the Influence (2003)

User Reviews

Incredible Charm of Surrealism

There are not many artists who could tell the same joke over and over again and get away with it creating the film as brilliant, funny, absurd, witty, and clever as Buñuel's "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie", 1972. The story of six friends who try to arrange and have a nice dinner together but cannot complete (or even start) their meal does not sound very exiting but wait until you watch this comedy. I've always known how interesting surrealism is but I never thought how funny it could be. I've seen the film four or five times - it only gets better with each viewing. Highly recommended.

9.5/10.