Ultimo tango a Parigi (1972)
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A grieving American man and a young Parisian woman engage in a clandestine, anonymous sexual relationship in a shared apartment.
The story
Paul, a middle-aged American hotel owner mourning the suicide of his wife Rosa, meets a young, engaged Parisian woman named Jeanne at an apartment that both are interested in renting. Paul takes the apartment after they begin an anonymous sexual relationship there. He insists that they not share any personal information, even given names, much to Jeanne's dismay. The film explores the intense and often volatile dynamic between the two strangers as they navigate a relationship defined by anonymity and physical intimacy in the heart of Paris.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Paul, a middle-aged American hotel owner mourning the suicide of his wife Rosa, meets a young, engaged Parisian woman named Jeanne at an apartment they both want to rent. They begin an anonymous sexual relationship, with Paul insisting they share no personal information. During their time together, Paul anally rapes Jeanne using butter as lubricant. After Paul eventually leaves her, he encounters her on the street and tells her of his wife's tragedy. They enter a tango bar where he shares his life story, breaking the anonymity. Jeanne, disillusioned, tries to leave, but Paul chases her through the streets of Paris. He eventually forces his way into her apartment, where she confronts him with a gun. She tells him her name and shoots him. Paul is mortally wounded and dies on a balcony while Jeanne remains dazed, realizing he was just a stranger who tried to rape her.
- Runtime (minutes)
- 129
- Production countries
- Italy
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Bernardo Bertolucci
- Writers
- Bernardo Bertolucci · screenplay; Franco Arcalli · screenplay; Agnès Varda · Adaptation french dialogue; Bernardo Bertolucci · story
- Cast and characters
- Marlon Brando · Paul; Maria Schneider · Jeanne; Jean-Pierre Léaud · Thomas; Maria Michi · Rosa's mother; Massimo Girotti · Marcel; Giovanna Galletti · the prostitute
- Genres
- erotic drama
- Themes
- grief; rape; sexuality; widowhood
- Tone and mood
- erotic; melancholy
- Reception
- The film was highly controversial due to its graphic portrayal of sex and a rape scene, leading to international censorship and legal issues in Italy. It received critical acclaim, notably from Pauline Kael, and is celebrated for Marlon Brando's performance.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 8 · scale: 10 · review count: 43
- Production trivia
- The film's opening credits feature paintings by Francis Bacon.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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