Tristana (1970)

 Luis Bunuel's "Tristana"

I watched Luis Bunuel's 1970 film "Tristana" for the first time only two days ago. However, while watching, I found myself sleepy and even a bit zoned out while watching it in the late hours of the night. In my sleepy state, I found myself not liking the film. I would even go as far to say that I hated it. I found myself counting the seconds until this vile film was finally ended and I could finally go to sleep. However, while viewing the film retrospectively in my mind the next morning, I found myself realizing that I was not repulsed by the film itself, but by its contents. 

Bunuel had spent many years trying to adapt Benito Perez Galdos' 1892 novel of the same name. After 8 years, he finally was able to a Spanish producer to fund the project. Despite finding the novel a bit too melodramatic, Bunuel adjusted it to fit his personal vision. His film tells the story of a 14-year-old girl named Tristana, who is sent to live with her new ward after the death of her mother. Her new ward, nobleman don Lope Garrido, begins to prey on her. From the ages of 14 to 21, he goes from sexually molesting and raping her to treating her as his wife. Over time, we see this pure and innocent little girl grow into a bitter, resentful young woman who eventually leaves Don Lope for young Catalonian artist. After a few years away, she returns to Don Lope, wanting to stay with him in her years after it is revealed she has a tumor in her leg. Don Lope takes her in and hires a surgeon to amputate her leg to save her life. Now a mutilated cripple staying in Don Lope's house, Tristana decides to marry Don Lope, despite having no actual relationship with him. She has now become an outspoken women, full of resentment, hoppling around on one leg or riding in a wheelchair. The film ends with Tristana offering no help to Don Lope while he is suffering a heart attack, leaving him to finally die.

I think the reason I loathed this film so much while first watching it was due to my disengagement with it. Because I was so tired and sleepy, I only watched the events of the film as simple events. My anger and frustration was over seeing this hypocritical, vile man take this pure and innocent little girl and soil her innocence, driving it further and further into the ground until she was nothing more than a bitter, mutilated, and hateful woman. It was for sure a discomforting watch. However, that's no fault in the film itself, but rather the scenario in the film. Retrospectively, I appreciated it as the dark and brutal film that it was. Bunuel was often known for making dark and bleak pictures of humanity. However, "Tristana" seems to be his most blunt depiction of humanity's craven impurity and vileness.