The Milky Way (Criterion Collection)

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(5 stars) - Why we must grow a beard.
If for no other reason, this film is relevant for making you understand why beards are important.
After some time of one's relationship with film, it eventually becomes clear that Luis Buñuel is master of cinema. At first his very straightforward style of filmmaking (specifically in this film) seems quite sober (which it is), but true transcendence and a degree of experimentation is achieved along the lines of narrative and ideas. The milky way as the two main characters travel back and forth through time during their "linear" pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. This is an experiment with narrative, not so much with cinema as a medium. Better said, it is an experiment with storytelling, yet other aspects of cinema remain rooted in the classic tradition. With Buñuel, this is a good thing.

The milky way is a film that clearly expounds Buñuel's fine sense of humor. Buñuel has a humor that is truly unique, and this results in utterly unique works of cinema. It is a humor that is truly humanistic, irreverent as though it may be.
One particular scene that I truly enjoyed was when the two pilgrims are at a truly horrific/comedic presentation at an all girls school, where the young students mechanically recite reasons for ex-communion from the church to the very enthusiast parents. In a contiguous scene we see a band of revolutionaries executing the pope (played by Buñuel for further irony). When the gunshot is heard by the parents attending the meeting back at the school one of them asks bemused: "What was that?" one of the pilgrims replies "Oh... I was just imagining the pope being shot".
There are plenty of other examples of such exquisite comicality so particular to the mind of Buñuel (I might have slightly distorted the last scene in my retelling of it -it has been a while since I have seen the film).

The milky way is incredibly witty, exploring the absurd that makes us human. Buñuel's atheism is not to be misunderstood.
It is the atheism that comes hand in hand with reason for sure, but at the same time there is an understanding for the cultural value
of religion. It is clear that there has been great proximity to catholicism during his upbringing. And when you grow up surrounded
by ideas and images as those of most religions, and confront these to reason, you have no choice but to become a surrealist, after having
evidenced people choosing or made to believe in the absurd.
It is a work of subtle cinema, but the ideas set forth and played with in this film remain with you. Buñuel can be both for the semi-casual viewer, as
well as for the intellectual, without offending or driving away either kind of viewing you may be prepared to give his work.

(4 stars) - Better than average Bunuel
In watching Bunuel, one has to accept the inevitable disconnectedness of surrealism. By providing us with the 'spine' of the two travelers' pilgrimage, the movie has continuity while still allowing the director a free hand for his precociousness. The result is a lot of separate stories, ideas, delightful silliness, and surprises that keep the viewer involved and challenged, but not confused. This is one of the better Bunuel films in my opinion. In addition, the print and color were exceptional, except in a few washed out clips. Finally, the extras were adequate, which is more than I can say for most of the Bunuel offerings I've purchased.

(4 stars) - an atheist's guide to spiritual enlightenment
despite the weight of the subject at hand, and the disorientation from the rapid montage from one time period to the next, this may be the least surreal of all the French era Bunuels. Within a mix of what for Bunuel seems relatively light provocation, he presents a series of historical religious events that amplify his critique of the Church for it's losing its way through its obsession with infallible detail that contradicts itself as it evolves. i confess that as a fan of the parable of the good samaritan, i share a sense of befuddlement at the intolerance and exclusivity of the fundamentalists of any religion, let alone one founded on love and tolerance.

but what makes Bunuel's argument so interesting is his avowed atheist stance. from his earliest movies on, he has ridiculed the folly of authoritarian ascension, seemingly maintaining full grasp of the beauty of the original that lies beneath the facade. he opens the door for the viewer, while demonstratively refusing to take the step through for himself. one can only wonder what motivations lay at the heart of an artist whose gifts produce such clarity.

(3 stars) - An odd stream of consciousness.
This was *way* less interesting than some of Bunuel's other work. His "Phantom of Liberty" is brilliant, for instance. He's obsessed, in this film, with some of the nuances of Catholicism. Your enjoyment of this film will be roughly in proportion to your leve of interest in religious philosophy. If you're not interested in religious philosophy, take a pass.

(2 stars) - A satirical look at Roman Catholic doctrine
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

"The Milky Way" released in France as "La Voie lactée" is directed by Luis Buñuel and is about two men on a pilgrimage to a city in Spain. The film is a satire on various tenets of Catholicism and miracles associated with it. The film depicts Marian apparitions, Stigmatics, and other scenes.

This film is likely to offend Christians but Catholics far more so than Protestants. Being a Protestant myself who strongly disagrees with Catholic doctrine, I found this film to be interesting.

The film has some interesting supplements too. They are "Luis Buñuel: Atheist Thanks to God" a documentary about Buñuel's life and the film, an introduction by co-writer Jean-Claude Carrière, an interview with, Ian Christie, and a theatrical trailer.

Not for everyone but still interesting.

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