Product: Last Tango in Paris (1973)
Rating: 5.0
One of Brando's Best Films
Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider star in this powerful film about an older American man, a younger French woman, and the heights of sexuality and seduction.Brando stars as Paul, a 45-year-old American widower who's coming to grips with his wife's suicide. His wife slit her wrists in the bathroom, leaving no note behind for Paul. All that she left him was the ownership of the seedly flop-house motel she had owned. Forced to deal with this bizarre change of events in his life, Paul goes out searching for an apartment.Schneider stars as Jeanne, a young 20-year-old Parisian girl. She's sexy, vivacious, flirtatious, innocent, and adventerous all at the same time. She's engaged to be married to her filmmaker boyfriend. She, too, is looking for an apartment.By chance, Jeanne and Paul end up looking at the same apartment. Both are intrigued; not just by the apartment, but by each other as well. Soon, they are having rough sex up against the wall. What begins after this encounter is a bizarre yet meaningful relationship which exists only inside the apartment. No names are exchanged, no pasts discussed. Only the present matters for these two tortured souls. Their apartment has become a sanctuary where they can come together as one.As the movie progresses, it becomes apparent that Paul and Jeanne are truly falling for each other, but neither is sure how to proceed with the next step. Unsure, Jeanne returns to the arms of her "boyfriend", while Paul struggles with his feelings for Jeanne. Finally, he reveals his true feeling outside of the apartment, professing his love for Jeanne. Will she believe it, or will something happen to shake up the ending?When this film was originally released in 1973, it drew the dreaded "X" rating for the sexuality and language. Somehow, it was reduced to NC-17 for the DVD version. Despite the rating, the movie is still very good. Brando and Schneider are simply marvelous in their roles as Paul and Jeanne. Brando's performance won him an academy award nomination. I had a slight problem with the English subtitles, but it in no way affected how I felt about the movie overall. The plot is extremely well-developed, and the characters fit perfectly into the story. I highly recommend this great film. Watch this movie and see one of Marlon Brando's great film performances.