Review of Last Tango in Paris (1972) by M D — 02 Sep 2009

In an attempt to forget the self-inflicted death of his wife, Marlon Brando engages in a nameless and emotionless affair with 19 year old Maria Schneider. Above the streets of Paris, in a newly acquired and ugly apartment, the two spend countless hours on the floor and mattress.

While the film as comparatively tame by many of todayâ??s standards, Bertolucciâ??s 1972 film was highly explicit and thus controversial in its portrayal of the affair, the sex, and the lack of emotions.

Varied critical and audience responses, its success and content, and Schneiderâ??s complete disgust for Brando and Bertolucci make this film important if not actually that great.