I haven't read the novel nor have I seen Renoir's movie of the same so I can't comment. Bunel's version is depressing. No one in the movie comes off well regardless of class. Every character is boringly out for themselves, there is no good, everyone is bad. The chambermaid herself is a slick goldigger without principles like everyone else in the film. She may be used by the upper class but she gets her revenge in spades. Although she wants the murderer of the young child punished she is not above reproach. The film finds nothing appealing about anything, it is a foul view of mankind. Everything and everyone is a target for Bunel's spew here. Too bad, he's no Fellini. He has no compassion and sees no higher purpose to life in this film than selfishness.
Review of Diary of a Chambermaid
