Synopsis
Directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, the 1972 Last Tango in Paris explores the relationship between two strangers brought together in the heart of Paris. The movie, consequently, delves into the intricacies of connection, loss, and self within the void of social designations. Paul, an almost fifty-year-old American, and Jeanne, a Parisian in her early twenties, happen to meet while apartment hunting. Their meeting, driven by desire, rapidly evolves into a relationship devoid of social norms, terms, and history.
The emotional blankness that Paul exhibits due to the recent loss of his wife, Jeanne, an engaged and free-thinking individual, is animated in contrast. Nevertheless, the bonding that they form, in spite of the distance, is powerful and instant. The duo, as a result, is able to maintain a “timeless” space devoid of reality through the lack of real names and personal information.
Within the blank canvas of the apartment, ‘Paul’ and ‘Jeanne’ enter and build their own interpositional world. To Paul, the interpositional world serves as an escape from his unresolved sorrow and guilt, while for Jeanne, it is an exploration of self. In the beginning, the worlds are distinct. As time moves, however, the two worlds begin to mix. Jeanne becomes the first of the two to float questions regarding the relationship, while for Paul, it is the gradual softening of the emotional walls he has built over the years.
Paul finally makes an attempt to breach the interpositional world and to venture into Jeanne ‘s real life. He begins to open up regarding himself while encouraging Jeanne to do the same. Both characters have been equally interposed in this world, however this attempt from Paul leads to the complete annihilation of the world interposed around the characters, and leads to an emotional duel that completely shifts the character’s life around.
Rather than providing a synopsis of the sequence of events that takes place, the author helps the readers understand the mindset along with the emotions of the characters, helping them understand that it is possible to find beauty amongst the most difficult of times. In this focus towards emotions and sentiments, love and loss are beautifully wrapped up in vulnerability.
Marlon Brando portrays the character Paul and focuses on his emotional depth along with the other character in the cast and crew of the film. He does his best to reflect the utter grief that is often masked which leads to intense confusion along with an ergelistic yearning to be a part of something that is invaluable. Being a romantic figure is an attribute which Brando bouquet in a very unorthodox manner. He rather brings about the other arguable traits which Brando possesses to completely switch the narrative of the character to a renascent one. Brando, in this case, has to be deeply evaluated for the warmth and depth in emotional scars he is trying to present in a character of his.
Another character, Jeanne, is the one who is performed by Maria Schneider. Along with Brando, Maria portrays the feeling of experiencing the juxtaposition that is tradition along with the freedom which has been captured. Schneider touches along the boundaries of romantic relationships which people tend to carry with themselves and of which expectations are unfortunately imposed. Schneider is able to play this role with such subtlety and emotional integrity that age bounds have a wave of maturity that crosses along with the youth that has been so beautifully captured through Maria.
The story of the film is directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. Bertolucci is known for his poetic yet controversial method of storytelling and approach towards a film. He, in this case, aims to reflect the complex raw unsaid emotions of people who are concealed underneath a masked life. All along the life, a person does maintain a personality which is concealed and is raw that has not been touched by the life that remains untouched.Another of the film’s distinguishing features is the musical score. In Last Tango in Paris, the invaluable jazz of Gato Barbieri is portrayed through the rich, soulful notes of a saxophone which vividly expresses the inmost feelings of the characters, which a voice of music penetrating the story. The cinematography of the film, managed by Vittorio Storaro, presents Paris not as a tourist sight, but a silent, brooding location of shadows, pale light, and secretive places.
IMDb Ratings
The film Last Tango in Paris holds an IMDb rating of 6.9, and the film receives praise as well as critique for the controversial elements it contains. The film is without a doubt a masterpiece for the caliber of acting displayed within it, more specifically, the Brando’s performance as a grief-stricken man, bewildered with the quest for meaning in his life. There are numerous critiques within the mass of literary works regarding the Brando improvisational manner in which he approached the character and how it served to enhance the realism of the situation. The manner in which he spoke, his monologue and the emotion he expressed served positively towards the impact the film left the viewers with.
Maria Schneider’s performance also recognized the degree of honesty and vulnerability that she displayed. Within the film, she portrayed the character of Jeanne and served as a needed counterbalance, thus elevating the film to more than simply a study on the character of Paul. Rather, the narrative becomes a testament to the lives of two individuals that meet, albeit for a short duration, during pivotal and uncertain shifts.
The film, while worthy of constant debate, still garners praise for its direction, music, and visual narration artistry. Particularly the cinematography and music, are praised for the way they enhance the film’s overall emotional feeling.
Final Thoughts
Last Tango in Paris is a film more contemplative than conclusive. It refrains from weaving a straightforward love tale and lacks a conspicuous moral. What it does is probe the emotional terrain of two people, randomly thrown together, at a juncture in their lives when they are both sailing through a complex phase.
The primary theme is disconnection. Not the disconnection of romance or pigeonholing, but the more tenuous form of emotional connection that happens when both people are vulnerable and open, even for a fleeting moment. Paul and Jeanne are at distinct phases of life, and their association helps in illuminating what they would have otherwise failed to see.
A film can only achieve so much, so long as they tell the story with clarity as well as emotional depth. The ability to portray human experiences with even greater emotion – whether that be sorrow, confusion, or concern – can only enhance the beauty of a story, moving the audience far beyond the images they see on a screen.
Last Tango in Paris,And even with the passing of time, this film’s status has only grown and became important in World cinema. The film managed to capture the sense of enduring human ever, even more so with a feeling of lacking the needed connection and comprehension for navigating through the struggles that life has to offer. The sheer dedication seen through performances, music, and storytelling, with the personal touch added makes the themes of the film that much easier to resonate with. It is no surprise that the impression it leaves for it’s audience is in fact, to say the least, everlasting.
Watch free movies on Fmovies