Ultimo tango a Parigi

by Bernardo Bertolucci

Jeanne e Paul si incontrano casualmente per una strada di Parigi. Lui è un americano sradicato con una vita avventurosa alle spalle, un matrimonio fallito e il trauma immediato del suicidio della moglie; lei una giovane borghese ipocrita e carica d'aggressiva sensualità.
Fra i due ha subito inizio una tumultuosa quanto drammatica relazione, che esclude ogni rapporto con il passato e la memoria in un rifiuto che arriva a tacere l'un l'altro il proprio nome.
Luogo d'incontro è un vecchio appartamento vuoto che acquista luce dalle improvvise apparizioni di Jeanne e Paul: qui i due sperano di conoscersi attraverso i più liberi rapporti sessuali.
Ma qualche brandello di storia personale affiora di tanto in tanto, come un segnale di sconfitta o fantasma di un presente ineliminabile e costantemente in agguato: per lui è ancora il pensiero del suicidio della moglie, per lei l'arrivo del fidanzato e l'imminente matrimonio.
La risoluzione finale se da un lato chiude un impossibile rapporto, con assurdo e lucido cinismo afferma che esso non è mai esistito. Infatti alle persone che accorrono dopo gli spari, la ragazza potra dire: «...era uno sconosciuto, non conosco il suo nome».
Ultimo tango a Parigi è una fiaba tenera e cinica, romantica e spregiudicata, dove l'allegoria della morte brilla attraverso le immagini di un eros esasperato e crudo. Sceneggiato da Bernardo Bertolucci e Franco Arcalli, diretto dallo stesso Bertolucci, è stato accolto con profondo interesse di critica e pubblico, in Italia e all'estero.


Edizione priva di ISBN
Edition without ISBN
Edición sin ISBN

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 20, 1973

Reviews

[Roy Zheng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Devastatingly beautiful film. In retrospect, the fact that Last Tango and Deep Throat came out in the same year probably bears a much larger significance than it seemed at the time; cinema arrived at an inevitable point in its own natural progression where eroticism manifested itself as an expression and the expression demanded eroticism.

In that regard, there were probably movies before Last Tango and movies after it but of course there was the equally devastating and shocking The Silence ('63) in which, like Last Tango, the brilliant depiction of endless longing and desire transcended the mere eroticism and reached something resembling timelessness. Can we appreciate a movie's artistic merits without getting into ethical debates? Can we watch a movie just as it is with all its measured profanity or obscenity or flaws or virtue? Can we really admire an Elia Kazan movie or a Camus book knowing their stance? Can we truly deny Last Tango's devastating beauty?

[Michela Zabaglia · Rating 3 out of 5]

i haven't watched the movie yet, but i found it good written. it catches your attention and especially your imagination. I guess compared to movie, you can have a view of the thoughts of the characters but you lose in energy of action. But it's worth anyway and now i am so curious to watch the movie.
I gave three stars because I am more used to intellectual books that make you think more about life and whatsoever . by the way, i think it's a nice book to read it fast.

[Joseph Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

All this and Norman Mailer too. Not recommended to those who value their time.

[Alessandra Innocenti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tragic, passionate and desperately well written. Makes you think, quite enough.

[Falcinella Alessio]

doppia copia

[MauroMC · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the screenplay in a friend's library. I saw the movie with Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider many years ago. I had almost forgotten the story.
Reading the screenplay I found back the protagonists and the atmophere. Everything seems to be smoother in the screeplay. If you don't have in front of you the imposing personality of Brandon, Paul gets a different face, weaker, sadder more embarassing.
As the book and the story in the last few pages are running to the end is destabilizing.

I will look for the movie once more, but all in all, I probably prefer the screenplay.

[Nađa Firdus · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read this book a few years ago. I would have to read it again, I would like that very much, because I remember it as a very interesting book,a book with an unique story. It's not even closely similar to any other book I've read. :)

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this in the mid 70's; probably because I was living in Italy at the time and there was quite a bit of talk about it. The only thing I really remember was that I felt puzzled when I I had finished it. What made these people tick?

[Lawrence O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the original screenplay. It describes a compelling story of the interplay of power between people with what reads often as poetry. So much more than 'butter and arses'.

[Steven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting scenes of butter, anal sex and the Lord's prayer...

[Alvaro Andrés · Rating 3 out of 5]

Una versión antigua de 50 sobras de grey.

[Sherri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't tell you why I even read this, nor its purpose!