Review of Viridiana (1962) by Ryan D — 20 Nov 2009

Luis Buñel's Viridiana is about a nun of the same name. At the beginning of the film a different nun tells her that her uncle and only relative is dying and she should visit him. The uncle is in love with her and tries to seduce her saying she looks like his dead wife. He convinces her he raped her hoping she won't return to the covenant but this doesn't work and he tells her that was just a lie. She leaves quite furious. The uncle hangs himself afterwords and she returns to his house to care for things. There, she decides to no longer be a nun and instead take in a bunch of homeless people. At the same time her uncle's illegitimate son moves in. The homeless people take advantage of their good deeds.

Although Franco invited Buñel to return to Spain to make this film, he was unhappy with the result and it was banned in Spain for 16 years. This film was also condemned by the Catholic church who called it blasphemous. Despite this, the film received mostly positive reviews and was voted the top film at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Buñel is generally regarded as the greatest Spanish language director and this is his most well-regarded film. This film is generally considered the greatest Spanish language film ever made. I speak Spanish and this is the first Spanish film I've ever watched. I must say I was rather disappointed. The story was rather strange and I had very little interest in the characters. I wouldn't recommend this although I wouldn't say it's controversial.

59/100.

D+.