Last Tango In Paris (1972)

Brando mumbles his way through Bertolucci’s notorious romantic drama for over two hours in two different languages. His character is drawn to shadows and places of abandonment but not always in a literal way. He brings a frightening intensity to the role that’s unforgettable.
His co-star Maria Schneider does an excellent job playing against him; she’s open to truth but remains secretive, a mirror and a distorting glass.
The film’s built around arbitrary events, but there’s nothing random about Bertolucci’s direction; it’s precise and calculated. If only the same could be said of the script. Some exceptional dialogue is marred by some ridiculous dialogue that deserved no less than the cutting room floor.

3½ easy spreads out of 5