Taboo (1980) — an engaging exposition
Overview
Taboo (1980) is a low-budget American independent film that occupies a provocative corner of exploitation cinema. It was written, directed by, and stars Miguel Piñero, a playwright and actor best known for raw, gritty portrayals of urban life and for his play Short Eyes. The film centers on themes of addiction, guilt, subculture, and the uneasy intersection of art and self-destruction.
- Oedipal Complex: The reversal of the classic psychological trope with the mother desiring the son.
- Sexual Repression: Barbara’s journey from a repressed divorcee to a sexually liberated woman.
- The "Taboo" of the Title: The film capitalized on the shock value of incest, which was (and remains) one of society's strongest moral prohibitions.
Features of the Film
- Director: J. Lee Thompson
- Starring: Tab Hunter, Natalie Wood, Brian Blessed, and Rula Quola among others
- Plot Summary: The film blends elements of drama and romance, set in a period where social norms were more conservative.
- IMDb Rating: As of my last update, specific ratings can fluctuate, but users can check the current rating on IMDb.
The story follows Barbara Scott (Kay Parker), a sexually frustrated woman whose husband has left her. Barbara feels isolated as she rejects the advances of various men, but she soon finds herself developing an intense, forbidden attraction to her adult son, Paul (Mike Ranger).