Last Tango in Paris (1972)

It could have been a great movie but instead, it was wasted by movie director Bernardo Bertolucci, who is a poor excuse of a human being. He takes himself too seriously that he forgot he is just a movie director and it is just a movie. The rape scene in the movie was in fact a real rape: the scene was never consensual, he never even informed the actress, Maria Schneider, who was only 19 at the time, about the scene and instructed Brando to rape her, literally. Is it worth destroying a woman's life, for a movie? Seriously? Disgusting human being, and unethical. Some so-called "artists" take themselves too seriously, very pretentious.

Regarded merely as pornography for many and is most noted for two infamous sex scenes (which in all honesty are tame by today's standards). Last Tango in Paris sets out for much more it's an interesting take on loneliness and depression and living in personal solitude. It's an extremely emotional film, therefore I think it's up to the viewer what you take out of it. I personally only checked it out because of its reputation but I found it to be pretty disappointing on the whole.A young Parisian women (Schneider) meets a middle aged American businessman (Brando) who demands their clandestine relationship to be based only on sex.It has been said that Brando gives a powerhouse performance and he certainly gives his all but certainly in the latter half of the film just ends up playing himself. His character is dislike-able (As most of the characters are) if not at times detestable with dialog so crass it's hard to take serious. Although there are a couple of moments in his performance that garner sympathy (most notable a really good scene where Paul lets all his frustration and anger out while saying goodbye to his estranged wife for the last time) which is true testament to his ability.The film seems to drag on in some places filled with uninteresting subplots Like Jeanne's (Schneider) outside life filled with her pretentious wannabe filmmaker lover which is rather dull and at times tedious.Last Tango didn't necessarily do it for me but I can't say it was without merit, an Art-house picture interesting because of its historical notoriety but its overlong and at times dull in places.

One. Two. Cha-Cha-Cha.Amongst all of the controversial films that were produced in the 1970s (and there were plenty), Last Tango In Paris (or LTIP, for short) ranks right up there at #1. There can certainly be no denying this film's controversy.As far as mainstream films go, this Italian import did everything that it possibly could to break down the barriers of what was acceptable and what wasn't in the realm of a film's sexual content. At full-throttle, LTIP deliberately toes the thin line between what is considered porn and what isn't.Even though this film's impact has mellowed significantly with age, I suggest that you watch LTIP and be the judge of this one for yourself.LTIP's story is probably about as shallow as any story could ever get. It's so shallow, in fact, that it nearly chokes the viewer with its sheer mindlessness. But, hey, let's face it, LTIP's story is inconsequential. It's the sex that we're all here to watch. Right? So, the story be damned.LTIP's story (what there is of one) concerns the tragic "no questions asked" sexual liaison that transpires between a naive, young, French woman and a middle-aged, American lech, who demands that the 2 of them remain as anonymous with each other as possible. To achieve this end they both solemnly agree to not share any personal information about themselves, including not revealing their real names.Some people say that Brando's performance as "Paul" was one of his very finest.Personally, I saw Brando's "Paul" as just a simple revising of his Stanley Kowalski character in A Streetcar Named Desire from some 22 years back. And, with that being the case, I'm sorry, but BRANDO looking like a totally dishevelled slob at 52 and playing a lech in LTIP wasn't anywhere near to the same thing as a young, virile-looking BRANDO, at 30, in a strategically torn t-shirt, playing a totally despicable slob.... Nope. It wasn't the same thing, at all.Below are 2 LTIP trivia notes - 1 - Marlon Brando, being the impossible, little "Method" actor that he was, refused to memorize his lines for his part. Instead, he placed little cue cards all around the set to remind himself of what to say, and so forth. (spare me) As you can well-imagine, this cue card business of Brando's literally drove director Bernardo Bertolucci crazy, trying as he could to make sure that none of these stupid, little cards (sticking out everywhere) remained visible in his film's final product.2 - Years after LTIP's release, actress Maria Schneider came out of the closet, or wherever, to say that playing "Jeanne" was the absolute, most humiliating experience, as an actress, that she had ever had to endure.Maria claimed that certain sex scenes, particularly the simulated anal-rape scene, were not in the script and that it was Brando and Bertolucci who plainly coerced her into doing these scenes, with Brando repeatedly reassuring her - "Maria. Don't worry. It's only a movie."Schneider said that the tears she cried during the buttery-buggering scene were very real, indeed - They were the tears of a person who had been both deeply humiliated and betrayed, big time.So, darling, save the last dance for me!

This is not necessarily a movie that is a joy to watch or is very entertaining and yet it is a masterpiece. How so? because it is all about showing discomfort and abuse of the characters and while it is not pleasant to watch, it is hard to look away and it is made perfectly.The story is about a man going through emotionally painful time and a young woman having trouble with her fiancé. They meet and start an anonymous affair, but then feelings start to arise.Back in the 70's the movie started a lot of controversy. And while sexual scenes are not as uncommon as they used to be, the movie is not outdated in this sense. The sex is not about being erotic. It is meant to cause the viewer some discomfort and it still does, just like the famous butter scene that is pretty much a rape.The movie is mainly about Brando's character Paul. We see his inner struggle and the more is revealed about him the more we see him. He is hurt by his previous relationship and struggles with the fact that his wife killed herself and he never really knew her. He hides from those feelings in the anonymous affair. But his wish for happiness dives him into believing Jeanne actually has feelings for him and there is a future. Unfortunately her "love" seems to be just a fascination with his dominant masculinity and mystery. Once he opens himself all of it starts to vanish including her feelings and she refuses him as well as kills him. No here is the one thing which makes me take off 2 points for the movie, otherwise I would give it perfect. While it is understandable that Jeanne mistook the fascination by anonymity for love and her feelings end once she gets to know him, we never see a turning point. It seems a bit too much that she even runs away from him. There is something missing there.Acting is great. Marlon Brando is at his best, we feel his struggle and the way he brings his monologues are great. Marie Schneider is perfect for the role. She has the innocence of that young woman, new to love, not yet able to understand what Paul goes through and also very confused with her own feelings. Also liked Maria Michi as Rose's mother. Really felt for her character in the few scenes that she appeared.