1980 (UK)

But the rating doesn't tell the whole story. Taboo is a cultural artifact. It is a snapshot of 1980 America: caught between the fading liberalism of the 70s and the rising conservatism of the Reagan era; caught between the cinema screen and the television tube.

If you are researching this film, it is helpful to understand why it remains a cultural touchstone:

Unlike many low-budget contemporary adult features, this film was noted for its attempt at a narrative structure and higher production standards.

★★½ (but stays with you like ★★★★)

The film is widely praised for its high production values and acting, which reviewers often note are superior to typical adult fare of the time. Taboo (1980) - Plot - IMDb

According to , the film presents a dramatic narrative centered on a woman navigating emotional and interpersonal challenges following a divorce. The story delves into her internal psychological conflicts and her pursuit of fulfillment through relationships that challenge social conventions. Production and Reception

Here is a review based on its reputation and critical reception on IMDb: A Noteworthy Production of the Early 1980s Performance & Presence

In 1983, the film won an inaugural ⁠Homer Award from the Video Software Dealers Association for "Best Adult Tape."

The film’s lasting reputation is largely attributed to its primary cast and surprisingly high production values for the time:

of Taboo (1980) as a piece of “transgressive cinema,” its place in porn history, or its handling of taboo subjects, let me know. Otherwise, for precise IMDb details, search tt0081595 on IMDb directly.

Critics have often debated whether this "psychologizing" excuses the content or merely provides a narrative fig leaf for the titillation. Regardless, it reflects a specific 1980s anxiety: the breakdown of the nuclear family and the confusion of roles in a post-sexual revolution world. The film is a fantasy of the ultimate boundary violation, suggesting that when societal structures fail, desire flows into the cracks in unpredictable ways.

In conclusion, remains a landmark film in the history of cinema, pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable on screen and challenging audiences to confront their own moral biases. While its IMDB rating may not reflect its artistic significance, Taboo continues to inspire debate and discussion among film enthusiasts.

While Barbara ultimately finds the swinger party atmosphere overwhelming and departs, the experience serves as a narrative turning point regarding her character's internal conflict and repressed emotions. The story subsequently explores the complex and controversial relationship that develops within the household, a plot point that became the central focus of the film's marketing and critical reception. Core Cast and Characters

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However, the film is not without its controversy. Others criticize it for "completely sidestepping the real-life implications of incest," framing it as an "unrealistic fantasy" for those with "unconventional but ultimately harmless fantasies" . The parents' guide on IMDb warns prospective viewers upfront: "The film turns on the benefits of incest between a woman and her son," highlighting how the narrative frames the act as a positive, liberating experience for the characters, a choice that many find problematic .

The blind date is a failure, but it takes Barbara to a swingers' party where she observes people freely engaging in sex. Overwhelmed with a lust she has repressed for years, she returns home to find her son asleep, nude. Entering his room, she touches him. Paul wakes but doesn't resist; instead, he "joins in enthusiastically," leading to full intercourse . However, the aftermath is not one of triumph but of regret. Paul withdraws and ejaculates between Barbara's breasts, after which she is overcome with guilt. The film ends with Barbara taking "refuge affectionately in an old friend, Jerry," who gives her a job and a shoulder to lean on, suggesting a path back to a more conventional life .