MOVIE · 1977

That Obscure Object of Desire

ComedyDramaRomance105 min

After throwing a bucket of water over a young woman from a train window, wealthy widower Mathieu (Fernando Rey) explains himself to his fellow passengers. His story rewinds through a volatile affair with Conchita, a 19-year-old flamenco dancer who draws him in, shuts him out, and keeps the balance of power in motion. Luis Buñuel builds the relationship as a series of humiliations, lies, and abrupt reversals, with Conchita split between Carole Bouquet and Ángela Molina. Moving between France and Spain, the film keeps their private pursuit and stalemate in focus even as bombings and public unrest flicker at the edges.