The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)

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 (as Luis Bunuel)

Writers:

Luis Buñuel (scenario) (as Luis Bunuel), Jean-Claude Carrière (with the collaboration of)

Stars:

Fernando Rey, Delphine Seyrig, Paul Frankeur

Won 1 Oscar. Another 7 wins & 11 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Fernando Rey	...	Don Rafael Acosta
Paul Frankeur	...	François Thévenot
Delphine Seyrig	...	Simone Thévenot
Bulle Ogier	...	Florence
Stéphane Audran	...	Alice Sénéchal (as Stephane Audran)
Jean-Pierre Cassel	...	Henri Sénéchal
Julien Bertheau	...	Monsignor Dufour
Milena Vukotic	...	Ines
Maria Gabriella Maione	...	Guerrilla
Claude Piéplu	...	Colonel
Muni	...	Peasant
Pierre Maguelon	...	Police Sergeant
François Maistre	...	Inspector Delecluze
Michel Piccoli	...	Interior Minister
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:

absurdism | social commentary | surrealism | dinner | avant garde | 

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Taglines:

Academy Award Nominee for Best Foreign Language film 1973

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Bulle Ogier recalled that Stéphane Audran (wearing Lagerfeld) and Delphine Seyrig (wearing Chanel) were engaged in an elegance contest. They asked Buñuel if he could give a close-up to the back décolletages of their dresses, a wish he was happy to grant in exchange for one bottle of champagne and one of whiskey.

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Goofs

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

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Quotes

[François Thévenot has unknowingly interrupted an illicit rendezvous between his wife and Rafael Acosta]
M. Thévenot: Coming home with me?
Simone Thévenot: Yes.
Rafael Acosta: No, no, wait. Let her stay just two minutes more. I must show her the sursiks.
M. Thévenot: What?
Rafael Acosta: The sursiks.
M. Thévenot: Ah, yes. I'll wait in the car.
Simone Thévenot: I'll come right away.
[François Thévenot leaves]
Simone Thévenot: What are sursiks?
[...]

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Me, Myself and Irene/The Patriot/Chicken Run/The Discreet Charge of the Bourgeoisie (2000)

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.

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:

2 Rue de Franqueville, Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

$800,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$17,432

Company Credits

Production Co:

Greenwich Film Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

102 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1