Last Tango in Paris

"Go, get the butter." For a movie that some consider pornographic, Last Tango in Paris features a "surprisingly" complex plot, excellent acting, gorgeous cinematography, and an intelligence that most movies (of all genres) even attempt to display.
Paul (Marlon Brando), the American owner of a hotel in Paris, is depressed over the recent suicide of his wife, and attempts to alleviate his grief through a purely sexual relationship with Jeanne (Maria Schneider), the fiance of documentary filmmaker Tom (Jean-Pierre Léaud). With little more than carnal knowledge of each other (initially, the two even agree to withhold their names), Paul and Jeanne begin to fall in love, creating tension between Jeanne and Tom (who is unaware of the affair), as the film reaches its climax (pun intended).
Originally rated X upon its release in the United States, a censored version was released later with an R rating. The uncensored version is the more commonly found one, and is currently rated NC-17. Director Bernardo Bertolucci received an Oscar nomination for Best Director, with Marlon Brando also nominated (Brando had won twice before, in 1954 for On the Waterfront, and in 1972 for The Godfather; he declined his award for the latter, which may very well have hurt his chances at winning for this film during the 1973 ceremony).

Rating: 98/100