More surreal than symbolic?

Exactly what I feel about this movie. Although it sometimes brilliant I think it's far from Bunuel's finest films.

This is not some cute and pretty movie that wad designed to meet your entertainment needs. It was not designed to be "important" or "funny". The film was not designed to be a some a reaction to a specific social or religious structure. In fact, even saying the film was “designed” is almost a misunderstanding to the philosophies of surrealism. The film does not symbolically “mean” anything. L'Age d'Or, like any authentic surrealist piece, should not be regarded as having any aspects that can be dissected into one exclusive symbolical meaning. So no, there is no “meaning” at least not in the commonly accepted definition of the word. The surrealist movement wanted to change the very definition of “meaning”, and give new incite into how we perceive art. A perception free from the cage of pre-existing associations. A free, and untainted thought. This film is just that. It is a beautiful work of art, and should adored for all time.

check Un chien andalou for more surrealism. that's the whole point, of surrealism versus realism, not exactly your commonplace movie.

Try to watch The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie for Bunuel's absurd comedy. It's more 'watchable' than l'Age d'or and, as the title suggest, shows the abusrdity of the bourgeoisie through a brilliant absurd/semi surrealistic comedy

"le fantome de la liberte" is the funniest and most absurd film i've ever seen. it's also my favorite bunuel. check it out.

Where are you, Mount Everest? Give me some Everest.

This film is about freedom: how can one achieve freedom? By following your intincts and avoid all types of restraints. That's what the male character is doing, he's almost animal-like in that way.

That said, there are other things that are inexplicable; and purposely so. People who find meaning in the giraffe for instance are only kidding themselves. Buñuel is known to include meaningless things in his movies because he enjoyed watching people trying to figure it out.

Anyway, there are some social critiques, clearly: against the bourgeois(oblivious to everything: the fire, the tractor, etc.); against religion and so on. But the film is just an experiment on surrealism, extremely daring and way ahead of its time.

Overall, I would rate the movie 7/10.

Marion Cotillard is Edith Piaf.

I would call it both surreal and symbolic at the same time. 8/10.