Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Fernando Rey | ... | Mathieu | |
Carole Bouquet | ... | Conchita | |
Ángela Molina | ... | Conchita (as Angela Molina) | |
Julien Bertheau | ... | Edouard | |
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André Weber | ... | Martin (as Andre Weber) |
Milena Vukotic | ... | Femme dans le train | |
María Asquerino | ... | Encarnación - madre de Conchita | |
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Ellen Bahl | ... | Manolita |
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Valerie Blanco | ... | Isabelle (as Valérie Blanco) |
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Auguste Carrière | ... | La femme qui reprise dans la vitrine (as Auguste Carriere) |
Jacques Debary | ... | Un voyageur | |
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Antonio Duque | ... | Conducteur |
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André Lacombe | ... | Portier |
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Lita Lluch-Peiro | ... | Ballerine |
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Annie Monange |
Just after boarding a train, much to the surprise of his fellow passengers, a man pours a bucket of water over a young girl on the platform. Over the next few hours he explains (and we see in flashback) how he became obsessed by her (so much so that he failed to notice that she was played by two different actresses, representing different sides of her personality), and how she tantalised him, but would never allow him to satisfy his desire for her... Written by Michael Brooke <michael@everyman.demon.co.uk>
Depending on your point of view, this film is either a biting, insightful, timeless illumination of human dignity and indignity or a woeful commentary on how painfully slowly we evolve. The main story, humorous and poignant by turns, is punctuated by subplot bits that come right out of this week's news. Not bad for a film shot a quarter of a century ago.
Fernando Rey is simply wonderful, and Conchita are fabulous! Bunuel, as always, is once again a delight.