Last Tango in Paris Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A recently widowed American in Paris and a young French woman decide to have anonymous sex in an apartment, which predictably ends with tragic consequences when emotions and names get involved.

🍿 Last Tango in Paris: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Initial Encounter and Anonymous Affair

Jeanne, a young Parisian woman, and Paul, an American expatriate mourning his wife’s suicide, meet while viewing an apartment. They begin an intense, anonymous sexual relationship, agreeing to reveal nothing about their identities. This arrangement becomes a way for Paul to cope with his grief and for Jeanne to explore her desires outside her engagement.

Rules and Boundaries

Paul establishes strict rules for their encounters: no names, no personal histories, and no discussion of the outside world. He seeks a purely physical connection, using Jeanne as a vessel for his pain and rage. However, Jeanne struggles with the anonymity and seeks a deeper connection, challenging Paul’s rigid boundaries. Their power dynamic becomes increasingly complex.

Escalation and Breakdown

The relationship escalates, marked by increasingly intense and sometimes abusive encounters. Jeanne grapples with her feelings for Paul and her commitment to her fiancé, Tom, a filmmaker documenting her life. Paul’s grief intensifies, leading to erratic behavior and a breakdown of his carefully constructed emotional walls. He confronts his wife’s memory and grapples with his own identity.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Paul (Marlon Brando): A grief-stricken American expatriate seeking solace through an anonymous, sexually charged relationship with a young woman.
• Jeanne (Maria Schneider): A young Parisian woman who becomes entangled in a destructive affair with a troubled older man.
• Tom (Jean-Pierre Léaud): Jeanne’s fiancé, a filmmaker whose cinéma vérité project captures the unraveling of their relationship.
• Rosa (Veronica Lazar): Paul’s deceased wife, whose suicide haunts him and fuels his destructive behavior.
• Marcel (Massimo Girotti): A tenant and Rosa’s secret lover, adding another layer to Paul’s grief and confusion.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Paul: “Names are for tombstones.” – Paul says this to Jeanne to emphasize his desire for a relationship free from identity or personal history.
• Paul: “You’re worse than the dirtiest street pig anybody could ever find anywhere, and you know why? You know why? Because you lied. You lied to me and I trusted you.” – Said at his dead wife’s bedside, expressing his rage and betrayal.
• Paul: “I don’t want to know anything about you. I don’t want to know your name. Nothing. We’ll just be strangers who meet in this empty room.” – Paul establishes the ground rules for his anonymous sexual relationship with Jeanne.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1.25M
• Domestic Gross: $36.14M
• Worldwide Gross: $36.18M

💥 Last Tango in Paris Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, what a movie. I went in expecting something shocking, but I came out feeling deeply moved. Brando’s performance is just incredible, the way he portrays pain is heartbreaking. There are some scenes that made me uncomfortable, but they felt necessary. The ending left me stunned and thinking about it for days. The film will not be for everyone. However, I think it’s a powerful and unforgettable cinematic experience. Maria Schneider is also a revelation. The film will stay with me for a long time.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Marlon Brando”
  • “Viewers interested in provocative and controversial films”
  • “Those who appreciate European art-house cinema”
  • “Viewers interested in character-driven dramas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic sexual content”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Abusive behavior”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Discussions of suicide”

Professional Reviews

• The New Yorker: “Bertolucci’s film shattered cinematic conventions with its raw portrayal of grief and sexuality. Brando delivers a career-defining performance, delving into the darkest corners of the human psyche. The film’s impact resonated far beyond its initial release.
• RogerEbert.com: “A brutal and unflinching examination of grief and the human need for connection. Brando’s performance is a force of nature, conveying vulnerability and despair. Storaro’s cinematography complements the film’s emotional intensity, creating a visually stunning experience.
• The Guardian: “Last Tango in Paris remains a controversial and thought-provoking film. It pushes boundaries and confronts uncomfortable truths about human relationships. Bertolucci’s direction and the cast’s performances make this a film that stays with you long after the credits roll.

Audience Reactions

Brando’s raw and fearless acting captivates viewers.: The powerful performances, especially by Marlon Brando, are consistently praised.

Many are affected by how honestly the movie handles difficult feelings.: How truthfully the movie handles the topics of loss, desire, and isolation is generally agreed upon.

Overall Consensus: A controversial and powerful film that elicits strong reactions, primarily praised for its performances and daring exploration of grief and sexuality, but criticized for its troubling content.

Awards

1. National Board of Review (Best Actor)- 1973

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Marlon Brando improvised much of his dialogue, drawing from personal experiences to enhance the raw emotion of his performance.”
• “Bernardo Bertolucci has stated that he wanted the film to be a metaphor for the political climate of the time, reflecting themes of alienation and societal breakdown.”
• “The film’s score, composed by Gato Barbieri, was intentionally discordant and unsettling to mirror the characters’ emotional turmoil.”

🖥️ How to Watch Last Tango in Paris?

Last Tango in Paris is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for possible theatrical screenings or availability through streaming services like Criterion Channel that specialize in classic and art-house cinema. Availability may vary depending on your region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Last Tango in Paris, you might like these similar films:

• 9 1/2 Weeks (1986): Explores a highly sexual and emotionally detached relationship between two strangers.
• In the Realm of the Senses (1976): Also deals with an intense, destructive, and sexually explicit relationship.
• Shame (2011): Portrays a character struggling with sexual addiction and emotional disconnection in a modern setting.
• Betty Blue (1986): Depicts a passionate, volatile, and ultimately tragic relationship with strong emotional intensity.

🛒 Last Tango in Paris Related Products

• Last Tango in Paris [Blu-ray]: Experience the film in high definition with restored picture and sound. Includes insightful documentaries and interviews about the film’s creation and impact.
• Last Tango in Paris: The Controversial Masterpiece: An in-depth analysis of the film, exploring its themes, controversies, and cultural impact. Includes essays by film critics and scholars.
• Gato Barbieri – Last Tango in Paris (Soundtrack): A CD featuring the film’s iconic soundtrack by Gato Barbieri. A must-have for fans of jazz and film music. Featuring the distinctive saxophone.
• Framed Movie Poster: Premium quality print for living room, bedroom, movie room, or home theater walls

🎧 Soundtrack

Last Tango in Paris features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Last Tango in Paris (Suite)” – performed by Gato Barbieri
• “Jeanne” – performed by Gato Barbieri
• “Shenandoah” – performed by Marlon Brando

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Uncovering The Scandal of Last Tango in Paris | Behind The Film

Ever wondered about the dark side of ‘Last Tango in Paris’? This video dives deep into the scandal surrounding the “butter scene” and its impact on Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider. It’s a truly disturbing story that still haunts Hollywood.

Should SA be in Movies?

Thinking about the portrayal of sexual assault in film can be heavy, but really important. This video examines how movies handle these tough topics, offering some much-needed food for thought on a sensitive subject!

Edward Norton’s Impression of Marlon Brando is PERFECT

Did you know Edward Norton does a killer Marlon Brando impression? It’s spot-on and pretty entertaining, especially if you’re a fan of Brando’s work! Check it out and let me know if you think it’s accurate.

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