Synopsis
Banned in Spain and denounced by the Vatican, Luis Buñuel’s irreverent vision of life as a beggar’s banquet is regarded by many as his masterpiece. In it, novice nun Viridiana does her utmost to maintain her Catholic principles, but her lecherous uncle and a motley assemblage of paupers force her to confront the limits of her idealism.
Reflections
Review ★★★★★
This is a masterpiece - it is an exploration of the limits of human decency, Catholic dogmas, and personal obligations. Viridiana is tested multiple times throughout the film, especially sexually, but accepts that human nature is fallible. It also symbolizes the class antagonism and inherent social differences between the uncle’s estate and the group of paupers.
In order to maintain her religious self and life and after she is molested by her uncle, and after his passings, she brings in paupers, who, during a bacchanalian event, trash her uncle’s sons place. During this, she is again molested and almost raped. The movie ends with Viridiana, now visibly wearing common clothes, entering the uncle’s sons house, where he is playing cards with his new girlfriend, the maid Ramona. It implies a ménage à trois.