That Obscure Object of Desire

On a train, a wealthy Frenchman named Mathieu spills water on a striking young woman and then regales the carriage with the story of his obsession. The woman, Conchita, is a fiery 19 year old flamenco dancer who becomes the center of his life and a test case for desire itself. What follows is a layered tale in which charm, cruelty, and lies braid together, suggesting that love may grow from manipulation as much as from tenderness. The frame device keeps the flame alive as Mathieu narrates past acts, while the real object of his fixation remains largely elusive. The tone shifts between humor and anxiety, never letting spectators settle into easy conclusions.

Released in 1977, That Obscure Object of Desire was directed by Luis Buñuel and co written by Buñuel and Jean-Claude Carrière, based on Pierre Louÿs's material. The film is notable for casting two actresses, Carole Bouquet and Angela Molina, as Conchita.

Cinema historians often point to the film's most famous device: Conchita is played by two different actresses who do not physically resemble each other yet share the same name and role. This surreal experiment underscores Buñuel's long standing interest in how desire distorts perception, power, and social masks within romance.

Critics have treated the movie as a sharp, wry meditation on obsession and control that mixes humor with uneasy psychological depth. The narrative voice and tonal shifts invite scrutiny of consent, age dynamics, and gendered power, while the film's sly perversity keeps challenging conventional romance without surrendering to cynicism.

The film drew critical attention and earned nominations at several major awards, signaling Buñuel's continuing influence on international cinema and the strong performances by the two Conchita actresses. Its bold premise and tonal balance between comedy and drama keep it relevant in discussions of desire and art house storytelling.