A WOMAN WITHOUT LOVE
Mexico, 1951, 91 minutes, Black and white.
Rosario Granados, Julio Villareal.
Directed by Luis Bunuel.
A Woman Without Love is a little-seen film by Luis Bunuel - from his Mexican period, the prolific film-making of short features in 1951 and 52. This film is more straightforward than many of his other films - a contemporary setting, a straightforward presentation of characters rather than atmospherics (as with his version, at this time, of Wuthering Heights). The plot is based on a Guy de Maupassant story, Pierre et Jean.
While the plot lines are extremely predictable, it is more significant watching how they are played out by the various characters.
1.A popular drama? Treated by the master director Bunuel? In the film-making style of his Mexican period? Film-making in the early '50s?
2.Mexican settings, the city, poverty, the antique shop? The countryside? Affluent Mexican society of the early '50s? The musical score? Black and white photography, straightforward film-making style?
3.The title and the focus on Rosario? Her experience, as a young girl, as a married woman, as a mother? After 25 years and the climax of the film?
4.The portrait of Rosario: being dominated by her husband, working in the shop? Her love for her son? His punishment by his father, his running away? Her recovering him? The friendship with Julio? The infatuation, the outings, the rendezvous? His going to Brazil, her wanting to go, her feeling she should stay because of her ill husband and his heart attack, for the sake of her son? The 25 years passing? Her pride in her two sons being doctors? The graduation, the plans for the clinic? Her relationship with her husband? The plans, the failure of the money, Carlitos's disappointment? The sudden news of the inheritance? Her joy for her son? Her husband's not realising the truth and remembering Julio? Miguel not realising the truth and rejoicing in his good fortune, wanting to share with his brother? Carlitos's suspicions? His realising the truth, his disgust with his mother? The build-up to the wedding, the ceremony, Carlitos's drunken behaviour and speech? His mother's reaction? His confronting her with the truth? His being ashamed of her, telling Miguel the truth? The confrontation after their father's death? Rosario declaring the meaning of her life, her love for Julio, her love for her sons? Their changing and asking her forgiveness?
5.Carlos, the older man, the antique shop, dominating his wife? Humiliating her, making her decisions? His severity with his son? The reconciliation, the friendship of Julio? His heart attack and his bond with his son? His surviving, pride in his children, selling the property? Planning the clinic, surveying the site? The failure of the money? The preparation for the wedding? His pride - and his death at the wedding?
6.Julio, his work as a surveyor? Finding Carlitos, talking with him, spending the day, taking him back? The friendship with Rosario and Carlos? The invitations to come to the meal, taking them for the day out? The attraction, in love, the rendezvous? His proposal to take her away, going to Brazil, the ultimatum? Her not being able to come? His leaving his fortune to Miguel?
7.Carlitos, the little boy, accused of stealing, conscious about money, punishment by his father, running away? The reconciliation? Enjoying the trout fishing with Julio? The bond with his father during the illness? The passing of the years, successful doctor, wanting to do research? The hopes for the clinic, his father's failure with the money? The inheritance? How jealous? His love for his brother? Louisa and Miguel marrying her? Rita and her attentions, insinuations? His realisation of the truth, his anger with his mother the photo, snubbing her? His performance at the wedding? Telling Miguel, fighting with him? Apologising? The reconciliation with his mother - and leaving?
8.Miguel, the favoured younger son, graduating, love for Louisa, the inheritance? His not thinking about Julio and the relationship? The marriage with Louisa? Wanting to help Carlitos - the clash, the revelation of the truth, the shock? His attack on his mother - and reconciliation with her?
9.Louisa, the doctor, her love for Miguel, the clash with Carlitos? Her motivation in marrying Miguel? Rita, the nurse, Carlitos's snobbery, his relationship with her? Snubbing her, her insinuations?
10.The predictable and familiar material, the strong characterisations, the plain and straightforward dramatic presentation of characters and issues? Audience interest in seeing the effect of these familiar plot situations on the characters? Insight into human nature?
