Belle de Jour

Classic 1967 Luis Bunuel surrealist drama has lost some of its shock value over the years, but still packs a decent psychological punch. Catherine Deneuve stars as a cold, repressed newlywed who fantasizes about being degraded (the film suggests she was sexually abused when she was younger). Abstaining from sexual relations with her handsome successful husband whom she obviously loves, she takes an afternoon job as a high-class prostitute in a local Parisian brothel. Eventually her dual lives cross paths, with tragic results. (R. Pitman)[DVD/Blu-ray Review—Jan. 31, 2011—Criterion, 100 min., in French w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $29.95, Blu-ray: $39.95—Making its second appearance on DVD and debut on Blu-ray, 1967's Belle de Jour sports a great transfer with mono sound. Bonus features include audio commentary by Princeton professor Michael Wood, “That Obscure Source of Desire” featurette with author and sexual-politics activist Susie Bright and film scholar Linda Williams (18 min.), a new video interview with screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière (11 min.), a segment from the French TV show Cinéma featuring interviews with Carrière and star Catherine Deneuve, trailers, and a booklet featuring an essay by critic Melissa Anderson and a 1970s interview with director Luis Buñuel. Bottom line: a Buñuel classic makes a welcome debut on Blu-ray.]