Ultimo Tango A Parigi

Opening with Marlon Brando outside on the street, sounds of traffic rushing by, Bernardo Bertolucci's Ultimo Tango A Parigi (Last Tango In Paris) immediately gets hold of your full attention. Then passing him by, sweeping him off his feet, is Maria Schneider as the very charming Jeanne, of whom Brando refuses to know her name. 'No names' he keeps telling her as they head off into this passionate and very sexual affair. Outstanding use of locations and mise-en-scène, the movie presents itself with lots of beautiful orange and brownish colours, like the long coat Brando's character is wearing. Feeling almost as a play, especially in the beginning, Ultimo Tango is a film that centers around two characters who explore themselves and each other. Playfully teasing one another the film becomes somewhat poetic which is intensified by the wonderful cinematography. Also making somewhat fun of the process of filmmaking itself, Jeanne's fiancee follows her with his filmcrew making a movie which is all about her. But no acting he insists, just capturing her life as she imagines it to be, making up fake stories and turning objects and places to be holding certain childhood memories. Brando and Schneider are a great match, lighting up the screen whenever they're together. Schneider's accent is sweet and fits her character well. Brando shows once again why he is already one of Hollywood's legends, giving a great performance that is very subtle and at times small in its showing of emotion, but also big and fueled by passion as he gets in an argument with his mother. The camera loves him giving him this statuesque presence. The tango scene at the end of the film is beautifully shot, showing the room beautifully lit and the feet of the dancers swaying down the floor. Ultimo Tango A Parigi is a very beautiful movie, at times dreamy, but also hitting you hard with some sexual scenes that in today's period of time, however, is no longer all that shocking. Having a slow, steady pace, Ultimo Tango shows a wonderful story between two characters who challenge each other and manages to depict this story gorgeously.

What is it about?

Paul, a recent widow after his wife commited suicide and who's mother runs a hotel in Paris, heads off into this relationship with a young feisty woman, who is noone but a stranger which Paul likes to keep this way. This young woman, Jeanne, keeps coming back to this empty hotel room, even though she is soon to be marrying her boyfriend who has come over to make a film about her. The two of them have this attraction that draws them into each other arms over and over again. Without telling each other their names and with no real expectations, they just spend their time lying naked in each other's arms. When they do seem to go their separate ways, Paul shows up again, ready to go on where they left off. Jeanne, however, isn't so sure what to think about their relationship and how far she's willing to go.

Final Verdict: ****1/2

Ultimo Tango A Parigi is a real classic showing the great actor Brando is and the sweet faced Schneider who's truly charming as Jeanne. The scene with her walking down the tubes of the subway yelling to her boyfriend who's walking on the other side is already famous as is the 'butter scene' of which Schneider knew nothing about. Besides the title and the tango at the end, the title also seems to refer to the way the camera seems to be almost dancing around the two characters using some long takes. There is this wonderful scene in the beginning as well with Brando going to the bathroom and Schneider making a telephone call in a phone booth, seductively raising her leg up and showing some skin. Near the end and with almost every elevator in sight, I couldn't help but be reminded of The Dreamers, one of Bertolucci's most recent works, which has become my true favourite. Watching Brando run up the stairs to catch up with Schneider who's standing in the elevator I immediately had to think about the great long take in the Dreamers, where Matthew follows the brother and sister after having run through the Louvre with them together making him one of them. Overall the film is magnificently staged, which is due of course by the wonderful directing by Bertolucci. He knows how to get the best from his actors, especially Brando, who is able to show a lot of his range. Ultimo Tango A Parigi is one of those films you have to see at laast once in your life. Even if just for the opening sequence and the images of paintings with which the credits start.