A movie about attempts by a wealthy industrialist's family and associates to revive his memory after being in a debilitating car accident. Dark comedy with flashes of brilliance, especially the leading character, as well as an intriguing look at Franco era Spain by Spanish director Carlos Saura. The premise allows him to show us a variety of historical vignettes as prods used to stir the partially comatose man's memory, in the hope that he will divulge the numbers of his Swiss bank accounts. It also allows for the introduction of his thoroughly heartless family members. Though they lack any sympathetic qualities, and the main character is mostly mute, the film still draws you in with its wicked story and black humor. Filmed in color in 1970, it's now like a snap shot of a slice of the life of the perversities of the wealthy in Franco's Spain, yet another exotic world out there to learn more about.
Review of The Garden of Delights
