When this movie was released, Pauline Kaal gave it an over the top review. The mainstream thought it was too graphic. I saw it in 1972 at the McClurg Court Theater in Chicago. I was puzzled by it. It was slow and not nearly as graphic as depicted.
I re-watched it again last night. What a mess! Brando's lines are laughable. What's supposed to be witty and insightful is inane. In 1972, there was no thought as to why a young super attractive women would hook up with a man clearly past his prime and emotionally damaged. Today that is now a very complicated question. Based on the attitudes of the director/writer and Brando, I have no doubt that Maria Schneider was cast for her stunning figure, slim hips and large breasts. She did the best she could with an ill-defined role.
As far as the butter scene is concerned, I was surprised as to how non-explicit the visual aspects were. It's an intense scene but the actress was not raped with a stick of butter. Brando coats his figures with the butter and then his hand is seen going between the actress's thighs and to her ass. Now what he does with his hand is unseen but it's implied that he is digitally penetrating her anus prior to the simulated(?) anal sex scene which follows. If Brando does indeed insert his finger inside Ms. Schneider without her prior knowledge and permission, it is sexually assault, end of story. She says it happened. I believe her.
All in all the movie is a bore. The most impressive thing Brando does in the movie for a man of his age is flip from a reclined position on the floor to full standing like a gymnast.
I re-watched it again last night. What a mess! Brando's lines are laughable. What's supposed to be witty and insightful is inane. In 1972, there was no thought as to why a young super attractive women would hook up with a man clearly past his prime and emotionally damaged. Today that is now a very complicated question. Based on the attitudes of the director/writer and Brando, I have no doubt that Maria Schneider was cast for her stunning figure, slim hips and large breasts. She did the best she could with an ill-defined role.
As far as the butter scene is concerned, I was surprised as to how non-explicit the visual aspects were. It's an intense scene but the actress was not raped with a stick of butter. Brando coats his figures with the butter and then his hand is seen going between the actress's thighs and to her ass. Now what he does with his hand is unseen but it's implied that he is digitally penetrating her anus prior to the simulated(?) anal sex scene which follows. If Brando does indeed insert his finger inside Ms. Schneider without her prior knowledge and permission, it is sexually assault, end of story. She says it happened. I believe her.
All in all the movie is a bore. The most impressive thing Brando does in the movie for a man of his age is flip from a reclined position on the floor to full standing like a gymnast.