Last Tango in Paris   

By Tom Keogh

Bernardo Bertolucci's controversial 1973 film stars Marlon Brando as an expatriate American in Paris reeling from his wife's suicide and entering into a nihilistic sexual relationship with a young woman (Maria Schneider). The film is still shocking, not simply because of its (sometime unconventional) sexual sequences, but because Brando's protagonist needs his liaison with Schneider's character to remain anonymous, an experience not to be shared but indulged on either end. Bertolucci is also operating on subtext here: in a way, Brando's nonengaging engagement is a metaphor for a certain attitude toward directing movies. Jean-Pierre Léaud costars, but the film is more than anything a vehicle for a great performance by Brando. The DVD release has a widescreen presentation, and is in English and French with optional subtitles for either language.

Academy Awards

Last Tango in Paris received Academy Awards nominations for Best Actor (Marlon Brando) and Directing (Bernardo Bertolucci).

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		Your Memories Shared!

"I think that the director wants to show something realistic coming from our life. He shows the real love and passion taking place in the "illegal" appartment. This is the true passion... The "fake" love (that occurs in our life) is being showed as a movie directed by Jeanne's fiance. That's the classic life: marriage, reference to the past, childhood, names, fake kisses. But the real love is coming from the rare, honest incident, two people with no usual lives, being together by taking out the instict of pleasure and happiness. The director compares the two different sides of love and he leaves it to everyone's choice." --akis

"I am a film student and a filmmaker (independent) and any time someone asks me what is the best film I have ever seen I have to pick up two films I think these two films are the best I have ever seen (and I have seen lots of films) and those two are Last Tango in Paris and Jules and Jim. Both great film about LOVE not films about a love STORY If you have not seen them go and watch them" --Pouyan S.

"I saw it first release on the big screen in Sydney years ago and to this day it is one of the most intimate film portrayls ever made. The haunting musical theme throughout takes one over the top." --Phillip