Belle De Jour (1967)

Called a classic in its day, now, twenty years later, BELLE DU JOUR   
comes across as chaste, stiff, and only mildly intriguing.  The story   
centers on a young housewife (Catherine Deneuve) whose frigidity toward   
her husband-- coupled with her lavish, sadomasochistic dreams-- compels   
her to take a job at a local brothel.  (Apparently, she's never heard of   
therapy.)  The silence is the most disconcerting-- director Luis Bunuel   
includes very little in the way of incidental music or sound effects.  
  
In French, with English subtitles.  
  
Grade: C+  

Copyright 1995 by Michael J. Legeros