Last Tango In Paris.
It’s hard to remember what the world was like 54years ago when this groundbreaking film was first released. How many boundaries and taboos that seem today so mundane and ordinary were broken.
From the title sequence featuring paintings by Frances Bacon this was destined to be an unprecedented film, the eighth film in an already remarkable career for 31 year old Bernardo Bertolucci, who went on to direct many other notable films. The story of an older man who as they are both serendipitously viewing a vacant Paris apartment, almost immidiately begins torrid affair with a woman (Maria Schneider) young enough to be his daughter in a vain attempt to blot out his grief after the suicide of his unfaithful wife. While initially trying to base their relationship on anonymous sex he eventually falls in love with her just as she is falling out of love with him. In the leading role it was the last time Marlon Brando did any serious acting.
Maria Schneider as his sexual plaything is initially perplexed by his advances, transitioning into enamorment of this lonely man before realizing that her true love is with her age appropriate film director boyfriend.
At the time the explicit sexual depictions were the most controversial aspects of the film, although Brando’s acting raw and convincing was also a draw. This is a handmade product of a bygone era but there are still many startling scenes of acting and cinematography which hold up as much today as when they were first shot. 454 stars
