This is based upon the novel by Mercedes Pinto whose own husband was institutionalised after developing a mental disorder. Director Luis Bunuel also utilised his own experience of having a paranoid brother-in-law and freely admitted that he himself and the character of Francisco shared similar traits!
This is certainly one of Bunuel's finest black comedies and arguably the best film from his Mexican period. It is also one of his most 'personal' as regards his apparent sympathy for an insanely jealous husband who makes his young wife's life a living hell and is only prevented in the nick of time from binding her hands with ropes before doing her unspeakable damage with a needle and thread! In fact one critic observed that not since 'L'Age d'Or' had Bunuel been as close to de Sade. Also on display here are the misogyny, manic obsession, amour fou and loathing of the Catholic Church without which no work of Bunuel would be complete.
The role of Francisco is a gift to any actor brave enough to take it on and the casting of Mexican heart-throb Arturo de Cordova is a masterstroke. He had already played a mentally disturbed character in 'Crepuscolo' in 1945 and this role is a natural progression. Stunning performance. As his long suffering spouse Delia Garces captures brilliantly the sweetness and resignation that he finds so appealing.
This piece was not well-received at Cannes and the jury showed a lamentable lack of judgement in dismissing it as a bad 'B'-picture! It remains however the most definitive depiction of a paranoic's descent into madness and proves once again that although Bunuel is customarily labelled a 'surrealist' he is first and foremost a superb film technician and a master of his craft.
This is certainly one of Bunuel's finest black comedies and arguably the best film from his Mexican period. It is also one of his most 'personal' as regards his apparent sympathy for an insanely jealous husband who makes his young wife's life a living hell and is only prevented in the nick of time from binding her hands with ropes before doing her unspeakable damage with a needle and thread! In fact one critic observed that not since 'L'Age d'Or' had Bunuel been as close to de Sade. Also on display here are the misogyny, manic obsession, amour fou and loathing of the Catholic Church without which no work of Bunuel would be complete.
The role of Francisco is a gift to any actor brave enough to take it on and the casting of Mexican heart-throb Arturo de Cordova is a masterstroke. He had already played a mentally disturbed character in 'Crepuscolo' in 1945 and this role is a natural progression. Stunning performance. As his long suffering spouse Delia Garces captures brilliantly the sweetness and resignation that he finds so appealing.
This piece was not well-received at Cannes and the jury showed a lamentable lack of judgement in dismissing it as a bad 'B'-picture! It remains however the most definitive depiction of a paranoic's descent into madness and proves once again that although Bunuel is customarily labelled a 'surrealist' he is first and foremost a superb film technician and a master of his craft.