Luna Reviews

Bernardo Bertolucci's excessive look into the life of a troubled teenager created quite a stir upon its original release because of controversial subject matter, which included an incestuous relationship between mother and son. There really seems to be no reason to include such a scene beyond box-office possibilities and Bertolucci's own desire to see just how far he could go. Clayburgh is the mother-opera singer, married to Gwynne who believes that the boy is his. Barry is the spoiled son desperately in need of a strong father to keep him in line, a role Gwynne cannot provide. He finally gets his much-needed guidance by the end of the film; the real father is hiding out in Italy teaching children. But before this happens, Barry watches Gwynne, whom he believes to be his father, commit suicide. After this, Clayburgh and son move to Italy, where she tries to revive her fading singing career, while Barry becomes a heroin addict after getting involved with the wrong people. This almost drives Clayburgh to the point of a nervous breakdown, as the relationship between mother and son deepens to the point where they almost make love. Luckily for audiences, they don't go all the way. Rumors circulated that Bertolucci had originally planned to show them in the sexual act but was kept from doing so for fear of moral censorship.