Belle de jour (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

This film is to be examined from multiple viewings. This version also contains so much information on the making of the film, the book it was based on as well as Catherine's personal experience with the director, and her mixed feelings on the work that no doubt helped to propel her career in the history books as one of the greatest actresses of the past 100 years, easily.

One of the most notorious French films of the 1960's (if not all of cinema) is a bonafide art-house masterpiece. Under the mask of a sly and witty, glamorous social satire lurks a completely perverse and deeply complex psychological character study (a motif used heavily in the film). Director Luis Bunuel and writer Carriere's brilliantly cynical treatment of a young, rich, and beautiful married couple, and the complications that arise when the repressed, virginal wife's fantasy life breaks free. A chance encounter and her own curiosity leads her to fulfill her dark desires in a chic Parisian brothel, unbeknownst to her husband. Inevitably, the upper class and underworld are set on a collision course, and the house of cards of fantasy and reality tragically dissolve into ambiguity. A groundbreaking film of hidden things and double lives, and addressed the taboo subjects of masochism, and master and servant. However, this is no Fifty Shades of Grey trash, this is a richly ironic examination of human nature, decidedly non erotic, non explicit, and more focused on fetishism, and filled with memorable surrealist riddles. At it's core it shows a truly tragic character whose trauma leaves lasting scars on the subconscious, and ultimately can be seen as an odyssey of self discovery and female liberation -even empowerment. Master director Bunuel at the top of his game, this film most resembles Diary of a Chambermaid, Tristana, or Viridiana, although all of his films are highly recommended. This Criterion Collection Blu-ray looks great with such vivid color, and indispensable film commentary. An essential classic.

Always buy my Collection on Amazon

Bunuel and Le Marianne .... storyline relationship of the two main characters may be a bit too far fetched but worth watching just to remember the young beautiful Catherine Deneuve

It was a solid watch. A little too edgy for its time.

Criterion's foray into high-definition transfers has, thus far, set the standard for the medium and Belle Du Jour is no exception to that. The palette is crisp, the details sharp and, while not reaching the height of clarity that 8 1/2 did, is definitely a credit to the medium. The film itself, of course, is a truly engaging journey through one persons pathology and, in true Bunuel fashion, left turns and surreal imagery abounds. Suffice it to say, this is the best version of the one of the best films of all time. How can you go wrong?

Good story telling and performance by the lead actress and the supporting cast. This a story of a housewife that lead of double life not for the money. Interesting look at human nature .

I think I rented this from Blockbuster back in the 90s, and shrugged my shoulders at a French film about eroticism, or more specifically female fantasy. Catherine Deneveaux is her usual attractive self playing a Parisian woman who is sexually dissatisfied, and enters a "career" where things take off.It's more of a psychological study of the main character, and not really an erotic film designed to tantalize or arouse sexual interest. It was in the foreign film section so I took a chance on it, and shrugged my shoulders at the thing. It's interesting for the time in which it was made, but I think society is more sexually adjusted (and perhaps immature for all of its' knowledge about sex to point of over indulgence) and in this regard the film seems somewhat pact.Still, if you want to get a window look into French sexual morays in popular cinema, then this film might prove to be worth a night's viewing. Personally I think there're better films out there, but your mileage may vary on that.

La película es una obra maestra que no envejece. La belleza etérea de Catherine Deneuve es inolvidable. La calidad de la copia es inigualable. Además la portada del disco y del booklet, son obras del gran David Downton. Verdaderamente es de colección

Great, puzzling film by Brunel, starting a very young Catherine Deneuve. I have seen it many times and love having my own Criterion edition.

The film itself is disturbing and lovely in equal measure, this is just a quick review of the Criterion bluray.Transferred to 1.67:1 with French LPCM 1.0 and English subtitles.Extras include :That obscure source of desire: A documentary by Susan Bright and Linda Williams discussing the themes and message of the film. 19 mins.Jean - Claude Carriere: Interview with with the screenwriter. 11 mins.Cinema: A French tv programme with interviews of Carriere and Deneuve on set. 8 mins.Original French trailer. 3 mins.U.S. trailer and re-release trailer. 4 mins.Commentary by Professor Michael Wood discussing every aspect of the film.Last but not least: A 28 page booklet with an essay by critic Melissa Anderson and a 1970s interview with Luis Bunuel.This is without doubt the version to get, looking and sounding wonderful. The downside is that you'll need a zone free player to watch this region A bluray. Buy one now.

Un clásico del cine en una excelente edición de criterion collection a un buen precio, por debajo de los 500 pesos

I love this movie.