If you’ve read my reviews of other Luis Buñuel films then you know I’ve grown into a huge fan very quickly. The notorious (and often brutal) satirist of the Catholic Church actually makes a quite devote comment on Christianity, which sets its eyes on the hypocrisy of the church and the faithful by using the teachings of Jesus against them.
Father Nazario (Francisco Rabal, BELLE DE JOUR) is a Spaniard practicing his faith in Mexico. He lives as meagerly as possible, living in a poor neighborhood in the same building as a brothel. The prostitutes ridicule him and the businessmen question his motivations. There’s even a blind man that preys on his goodwill. Then one night after killing a fellow prostitute over shell buttons, Andara (Rita Macedo, THE EXTERMINATING ANGEL) comes to Nazario wanting his help. He promises not to turn her in, however if someone asks about her he will not lie. When the police catch up with her, she and the suicidal prostitute Beatriz (Marga Lopez) burn down his apartment.
The whole incident turns into scandal and Nazario is stripped of his robes from the church. So now even more down on his luck than before, Nazario decides to go out and be a street preacher much like Jesus. Taken by his piety and kindness, Andara and Beatriz tag along much to his chagrin at first. However, a defrocked priest traveling with two women, one of which is wanted for murder, creates a vast amount of problems.
When I say the film is devote, I mean, it really champions the virtuous teachings of Christ. Ironically, as Nazario becomes more Christ-like, he comes under more suspicion and contempt from church officials and the faithful public. Buñuel also questions the motivations of the women for following Nazario. Neither of them really change their ways — actually at one point they get jealous over which one the Father loves more. Andara remains violent, only now in defense of Nazario while Beatriz seems terminally compelled to stick to an abusive man named Pinto (Noe Murayama).
A key to the film’s success however is the honest characterization of Nazario, who is not saintly. He is the most down-to-Earth and believable Christ-like character I’ve ever seen. Buñuel doesn’t fail to include some of his signature surreal moments, including a bizarre flashback between Beatriz and Pinto.
Out of all his films, this one has the happiest ending, giving Nazario a grain of hope in the final moments, making his struggles seem not completely in vain. The film brilliantly up holds the values of Christianity while showing the hypocrisy of some of its believers.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
