LUNA (1979) - LUNA (1979) (1 [2016]

Uncomfortable viewing but well-acted.

I'm 70 and vaguely recall this 70s film from my youth. I wanted to see it again, fully aware of the controversialsubject matter. Beautifully shot mainly in Italy, but also briefly in Brooklyn, NYC. Jill Clayburgh is a successfulopera singer, who upon losing her husband (Fred Gwynn) to a freak car accident, leaves NYC, and moves with her son to Europe. This film mainly concerns their relationship. Her son is a headstrong, and tough NYC kid, who underthe surface is not really all that tough, and certainly very troubled as he indulges in taking dangerous drugs suchas heroin. Jill discovers this, in a particularly disturbing scene where she witnesses him injecting into his arm.Of course she is alarmed, and does everything in her power to rescue him. She even goes to the drug dealer and tries to buy him off so her won't supply the drugs. Clearly she is at wits end. The film takes a turn that will behard for most to take, in caring for him, and fearing for his life, she comforts him as he is laying on the bed, recovering from withdrawals from the drugs. It appears to me in a very bizarre scene she engages with him in aminor sexual way, to distract him from the pain of being without the drugs that had taken over his life. Of course this is not one sided, he responds with kisses. This is also a road movie, where they take a trip, where they work out their frustrations on one another by engaging with strangers to make one another jealous. Matthew Barry, as the kid is a gifted actor, even at 15. (Watch the extras for him as an adult talking about his life, it was fascinating)Amazing performances from both Jill and Barry. Director Bertolucci is his usual astonishing and talented self. I was amazed that this film was made for so little money, but of course it was the 1970s, a cheaper decade. The musicwas one of the things I recalled from viewing it in my youth. Hauntingly beautiful musical score. What I find fascinating about viewing a film decades later is how one can totally have zero memory of the film, and yet with other older films it is as if, you saw it recently, and you can almost recite the lines. Be careful gifting this film to a friend or relative, as it just might be too much to take, albeit an excellent and wonderful film that has so much going for it! I guess I was not surprised at the mixed reviews from professional critics, some loved it, some called it trash. I am also not surprised it appeared that there were no awards given out for this film, as the subject matter might have made people feel uncomfortable to nominate it for an Oscar, or Golden Globe or whatever. I recall a film starring Julianne Moore with a similar incest theme, that was also brilliant, but maybe even more disturbing. Only actors of the caliber of Moore and Clayburgh could carry this off. I'm sure in the case of both films the young men needed a bit of counseling to prepare them for such a role. If you like Bertolucci's films I'm sure this will be your cup of tea! A+++++++

Very unique story of mother-son relationships. As odd as this may seem it works quite well as a film. Definitely not hollywood style entertainment, more subtle, artistic, with things left unsaid between the lines leaving room for some open ended interpretation.

obra maestra de BERTOLLUCI , habia oido hablar de esta pelicula pero nunca la habia visto antes, no me desepciono para nada, las actuaciones son magnifificas y la direccion impecable.tiene escenas bastante fuertes pero las actuaciones son tan buenas que que acaba uno pidiendo mas.la pelicula es larga y el ritmo un poco lento en partes, no creo que sea el cine para todo el mundo, si buscan accion o algo parecido a lo que se hace en holywood esta pelicula no es para ustedes.es lenta pero se disfruta cada momento, ademas dura casi tres horas.

As described

Fine, original story with excellent operatic arias, and beautiful scenery of Italy.