Customer Reviews

Luna [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.2 Import - Finland ]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I saw this movie for the first time in Chicago, in the winter of 1980. It impressed me a lot, and its images lingered on my mind for a long time. I saw it again 12 years later and still found it a good movie, despite its violent sexual issues. I've revisited it once again a few days ago in a wonderful DVD version and I was deeply impressed. This is one of those movies similar to wine: as time goes by, it gets older...and better. No doubt about it, it's quite crude and may shock a large number of viewers. The incest theme can only be compared to the treatment that Louis Malle had previously given to the subject in "Le Soufle Au Coeur" in 1971 (again, the relation between a mother and her teenager son). However, two aspects make me prefer this film rather than the excellent Malle movie: Jill Clayburg'interpretation and the wonderful operatic background that Bertolucci gave to his drama. Besides- and this is no novelty coming from Bertolucci - it's such a beautiful movie form the visual viewpoint: wonderfully shot, edited and with a fascinanting tempo that allows you to enjoy every second of it. If you haven't seen this movie, don't hesitate in getting it: you might get disturbed, it will probably shock you, but be sure that you'll see cinematographic images as you've never seen before.

This is a movie that's been on the top of my "Most Wanted" list for years. Finally found it on a French made DVD here in Shanghai, at a supermarket of all places. Bernardo Bertolucci's 1979 follow-up to "Last Tango in Paris" and "Novocento" stars Jill Clayburgh as an opera diva who has a semi-incestuous relationship with her teenage junkie son after she develops a psychosomatic impasse that prevents her from singing. Talk about loaded. Bertolucci's trademark brew of sex and politics is as full-on as ever, but the real subject of the movie is how do you get your chops back once you've lost your way as an artist.

Bernardo Bertolucci after having shaken the world with his Last Tango in Paris, presents us with a raw emotional and affective picture involves a weak son confronted with the highly successful nature mother, a renowned opera singer, happily married until a tragedy occurs. A heart attack ended the life of her husband. From the desolate state of solitude, both are enclosed within their emotional shells. But the son seeks refuge in drugs and not to lose it, has made a determination. But there is still a secret from the past to unravel.

Bertolucci unleashes his feverish love of Opera Itaiana and complete this existential framework with some pieces magnificently assembled into this terrible and distressing dramatis personae.

Jill Claybough (April 30, 1944 - November 5, 2010) was always one of my favorite actresses in her generation. Her role is fascinating, compelling and nuanced with complete spontaneity.

An original masterwork.

a must watch it is a very dark and deep drama it will leave you wondering what just happend