Diary of a Chambermaid
Diary of a Chambermaid

Movie spotlight

Diary of a Chambermaid

1964
Movie
97 min
French

Celestine has a new job as a chambermaid for the quirky M. Monteil, his wife and her father. When the father dies, Celestine decides to quit her job and leave, but when a young girl is raped and murdered, Celestine believes that the Monteils' groundskeeper, Joseph, is guilty, and stays on in order to prove it. She uses her sexuality and the promise of marriage to get Joseph to confess -- but things do not go as planned.

Insights

IMDb7.2/10
Director: Luis BuñuelGenres: Drama, Comedy

Plot Summary

Celestine, a beautiful and intelligent young woman, arrives in a Parisian household to work as a chambermaid. She navigates the complex social dynamics and hidden desires of the household's residents, including the lecherous master and his frigid wife. Her sharp observations and moral ambivalence allow her to manipulate her way through the household's secrets and hypocrisies, seeking personal gain amidst the decay of the aristocracy.

Critical Reception

Luis Buñuel's adaptation of Octave Mirbeau's controversial novel was met with critical acclaim for its satirical brilliance and Moreau's commanding performance. While some found its themes provocative, critics largely praised its sharp critique of class and morality, cementing its status as a significant work in Buñuel's oeuvre.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its biting social satire and exploration of hypocrisy.

  • Jeanne Moreau's performance as Celestine is widely regarded as a highlight.

  • Buñuel's distinctive surrealist and critical lens is evident throughout.

Google audience: Information regarding Google user ratings and specific review summaries is not readily available for this film.

Fun Fact

The film is an adaptation of the 1900 novel of the same name by Octave Mirbeau, which was considered highly controversial for its time due to its frank depiction of sexual desire and social critique.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
talisencrw

talisencrw

Solid. One of my favourites, both in terms of Bunuel (my 4th favourite director ever) and of Moreau. Sheer, unadulterated genius. There was never anyone quite like him and there never will be again--and that's a dirty rotten shame. Paraphra...