Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

The Exterminating Angel is not for the weak-minded. I don't recommend this to anyone who doesn't appreciate the concept of film as an art form. If your favorite film is Titanic or American Pie, no need for you to venture into the world of quality film-making. For those of you who are interested in surrealism but haven't had any experience with it beyond the paintings of Salvador Dali, I recommend watching the far tamer "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" (also a Bunuel film) before taking up the challenge of The Exterminating Angel. I am being quite serious when I say that this film is NOT for the weak-minded, nor for the "casual" movie-watcher. Luis Bunuel is the greatest surrealist of all-time (perhaps in all mediums of art), and his films are intellectual challenges. That is, he challenges you to a duel of wits. If you don't love the intellectual and artistic chase itself, then chances are that you won't enjoy Bunuel and his works of art, PERIOD. Onto the film...

The Exterminating Angel is a hardcore satire of the bourgeoisie filmed in the methods and designs of Bunuel's surrealism (obviously). Very wealthy and powerful characters attend a dinner party, only to find themselves "unable" to leave the living room. The duration of the story focuses on the unraveling of the upperclass guests' manners and morals as they try to stay alive within their living room imprisonment. Of course, as Bunuel buffs already know, the plot is hardly THE thing that makes a surrealistic movie special.

Satire, action loops, and hallucinations are plenty abound in this movie. Make no mistake, this is hardcore Bunuel. The Exterminating Angel certainly presents major challenges that are just a blast to try to figure out (of course you never do 'figure all of them out'). A favorite argument of my friends and I is the meaning of the chicken in the woman's purse at the beginning of the film. Of course, there is no "meaning" to the chicken in the woman's purse, Luis Bunuel simply inserts such images for the fun of it (or at least, that's what he says).

Bunuel films (Angel not excluded) are intellectual and artistic experiences, not casual viewings. There are several ways to view a Bunuel movie to squeeze the most fun out of it: you can be a symbol-enthusiast (people seeking meaning to the surreal inserts), you can watch for the satire elements alone, or you can take it all in. Much like the game "Mad Libs," one such way to have fun with a Bunuel film is putting the pieces and meanings together yourself and enjoying the results of your interpretation. If you want to tackle a Bunuel film using this method, the best way to do this is with a group of people with whom you can argue with or collaborate with in your journey for understanding the impossible. Bunuel assumes that whoever dares to accept his challenge is a willing and ready participant, so I have major sympathy for anyone who accidentally stumbles into his world thinking that it is "just another movie" (read the non-recommended review for an example of this). This is not a passive-viewing experience - you are an active participant!

One person has asked about the "meaning" of the sheep and bear in this film. Luis Bunuel himself explains that the living-room prisoners need to eat something to stay alive (sheep), and something needs to get the food there (the bear scares the sheep into the living room). See? Surrealism, in this example, serves as a utilitarian practicality, allowing the human characters stay alive from a very surreal circumstance. Sometimes, us, the viewers, need to simply accept what he's showing us without trying to pin it to logic. If rationality and logic is your approach to watching this film and others like it, consider yourself beaten. It isn't called "surrealism" for nothing.

To watch this film and other surreal films like it, you need 1) your wits 2) some degree of intelligence 3) an understanding that the entire puzzle cannot be solved 4) some kind of enjoyment for challenges of the mind 5) a VCR.

When you duel with Bunuel, you will get burned, but I wish you luck on your journey, and I hope you come back just as sane as you were before viewing The Exterminating Angel.





Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age