That Obscure Object of Desire
Seen it?1977 | 103 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance
Friday Night FlickWhy it’s a Friday Night Flick
Critics loved it (97% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it drew serious awards attention. Make plans for this one.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for romantics and anyone who wants a laugh. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Funny with heart, romantic.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 43 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Made in 1977: an older pace and style.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
After dumping a bucket of water on a beautiful young woman from the window of a train car, wealthy Frenchman Mathieu, regales his fellow passengers with the story of the dysfunctional relationship between himself and the young woman in question, a fiery 19-year-old flamenco dancer named Conchita. What follows is a tale of cruelty, depravity and lies -- the very building blocks of love.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
97% on Rotten Tomatoes, 84 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.4 out of 10
- AwardsStrong
Nominated for 2 Oscars and 1 Golden Globe.
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$3K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 44K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Luis Buñuel
- Fernando ReyMathieu Faber
- Carole BouquetConchita
- Ángela MolinaConchita
- Julien BertheauÉdouard
- André WeberMartin
- Milena VukotićMother on the Train
- María AsquerinoEncarnación, Conchita's Mother
- Ellen BahlManolita
- Valerie BlancoIsabelle
- Auguste CarrièreWoman who Mending at the Window