El (1953)

While at church, an older man (Arturo De Cordova) spots an attractive young woman (Delia Garces) from across the room. He becomes obsessed with her and pursues her romantically eventually winning her over. But after the ceremony, his paranoia and jealousy reveal themselves. Based on the novel PENSAMIENTOS by Mercedes Pinto and directed by Luis Bunuel (VIRIDIANA). Considered by many to be the masterpiece of Bunuel's Mexican period, I found it didn't work for me. De Cordova's character's behavior should be a red flag to Garces' young woman even if she is somewhat naive. He goes bonkers on their honeymoon night yet she continues to stay with him even after he physically abuses her. Victims complicit in their own misery get very little sympathy from me. To be fair, the film remains compelling throughout and it does show the "macho" Latin mentality (at least of its time) where women are chastised for not complying with their husbands (even her mother blames her) and of course, the Catholic church which turns an eye to the sadism of it all. With Aurora Walker and Luis Beristain.