Last Tango in Paris (1972)

Top 25 - 1970 to Today

Last Tango in Paris (1972) – A young Parisian woman begins a sordid affair with a middle-aged American businessman who lays out ground rules that their clandestine relationship will be based only on sex.

Director: Bernardo Bertolucci (The Conformist, 1900, The Last Emperor)

Writer: Bernardo Bertolucci and Franco Arcalli

Release Date: March 14, 1972 (France), February 7, 1973 (USA)

Domestic Box Office: $14.1 million

Last Tango in Paris (1972)

Top 5 Cast:

  • Marlon Brando (The Godfather, On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire)
  • Maria Schneider (The Conformist, Pretty Baby)
  • Jean-Pierre Léaud (The 400 Blows, Breathless, Masculin Féminin)
  • Massimo Girotti (Rome, Open City, The Bicycle Thieves)
  • Catherine Allégret (Cleo from 5 to 7, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg)

“You mustn’t cry. It’s like raining on your wedding day.”

Critical Reviews:

  • “A harrowing, brutal, and ultimately tragic film.” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
  • “A masterpiece of raw, unflinching emotion.” – Vincent Canby, The New York Times
  • “A disturbing and disturbing film that will stay with you long after you’ve seen it.” – Pauline Kael, The New Yorker
  • “A powerful and disturbing film that is not for the faint of heart.” – Time Out
  • “A challenging and thought-provoking film that is essential viewing for anyone interested in cinema.” – The Guardian

Cinematic Importance: Last Tango in Paris (1972) is a controversial and challenging film that has been praised for its raw and unflinching look at sex and violence. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Marlon Brando, and it has been ranked by the American Film Institute as one of the 100 greatest films of all time.

The film is a powerful and disturbing look at the relationship between a middle-aged man and a young woman. The two characters are both deeply damaged and they find comfort in each other’s pain. However, their relationship is ultimately destructive and it leaves both characters scarred.

Last Tango in Paris is a challenging film that is not for everyone. However, it is a powerful and important film that is worth watching.

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