I love watching movies that I walk away from having to think and understand what just unfolded in front of my eyes. Yet, I hate it when I just don't understand it. The Phantom of Liberty is a film that most people will feel that way about. Luis Bunel directs a film that unfolds like a dream. If you think about it, dreams make sense until you wake up. The Phantom of Liberty is a film that doesn't pass moral judgement of the extremities of good and evil. It's in the middle.
One character connects to another character in stories that are completely irrelevant. As a millennium baby, I found it very difficult to stay in tune as the story jumped around constantly with out tying together. "Random" is a word that would best simplify this film. Bunel does a fantastic job thinning down the line between what's real and what isn't. He allows his characters to act out their fantasies and desires without moral judgement. (Most of the character's desires involve sexual oppression.) I got the overall message that the director sent my way, but my entertainment level was on and off. Films "now'a'days" have to be faster and exciting, or be slow and make a sense. The Phantom of Liberty was a big abstract message that one could really appreciate, but not necessarily enjoy. It's like eating your vegetables, do it, they're good for you.
One character connects to another character in stories that are completely irrelevant. As a millennium baby, I found it very difficult to stay in tune as the story jumped around constantly with out tying together. "Random" is a word that would best simplify this film. Bunel does a fantastic job thinning down the line between what's real and what isn't. He allows his characters to act out their fantasies and desires without moral judgement. (Most of the character's desires involve sexual oppression.) I got the overall message that the director sent my way, but my entertainment level was on and off. Films "now'a'days" have to be faster and exciting, or be slow and make a sense. The Phantom of Liberty was a big abstract message that one could really appreciate, but not necessarily enjoy. It's like eating your vegetables, do it, they're good for you.