That Obscure Object of Desire

Mathieu (Fernando Rey), an aging and lustful man, has fallen head over heels for 18-year-old Conchita and is determined to bang her. She repeatedly responds to his advances, only to back out at the last moment and ultimately exploit him to an increasing extent. Certainly, "This Obscure Object of Desire" is a little uncomfortable with modern eyes, but the movie is also very "European," so you shouldn't take it all too seriously. The structure of the narrative is definitely successful, and decisions such as casting the character of Conchita with two very different actresses (Carole Bouquet and Ángela Molina) also provide variety. Furthermore, there's always something to discover in the background, so it's worth staying alert. And the surprising and surrealistic ending does the rest to make for a thoroughly entertaining movie.

What a man wants. What a woman expects. The two looks with which he sees her. The duality with which she treats him. The real and the surreal. And a desire carried to sack.