Now Playing: (1975/1970, both Luis Bu?uel) [seen in theatre]
Not sure why I didn't make the connection before- especially given how much I dig both of them- but it's entirely possible that the great spiritual descendents of Bu?uel may have been Monty Python. By adding British humor, scene after scene from these films would feel perfectly natural performed by Python (and scenes like the defectation party in Phantom could be transferred as is). One of the most apparent shares themes between Bu?uel and the Python boys is the idea of men with lofty aspirations being repeatedly flummoxed by people trifling over details, which can be seen clearly in Milky Way and to a lesser extent in Phantom. As much as I dug Phantom- not only for the innovative narrative structure but also for its perverse sense of humor- I think I prefer Milky slightly, since Bu?uel jabs are the Church are pointed and varied. His central thesis in the film seems to be that the problem with organized religion is that people so get bogged down in minute rules that they lose sight of God, which is illustrated most vividly when two men of faith have a sword fight while arguing obscure dogma, only to be reconciled when one of travelers confesses that it's all a mystery to him. But both are really awesome, even if I was hoping for more Michel Piccoli in both of them- the guy's one of the greats, what can I say? But with Bu?uel at the peak of his powers, that's more than enough greatness to tide me over.
Posted by hkoreeda
at 11:37 PM EDT
