Edition: U.S. / Global

'MURMUR OF THE HEART'; Artistic License

Published: April 9, 1989

To the Editor:

Incest is never ''tasteful,'' as Paul Chutkow quoted Louis Malle defending ''Murmur of the Heart'' [ ''Louis Malle Diagnoses His 'Murmur of the Heart,' '' March 19 ] . The incest literature is loaded with examples of how ''loving'' parents' lack of restraint can ruin innocent children for life. Further, though the article claimed the actor playing the violated boy suffered no lasting harm, I would suggest Chutkow and Malle interview a man whose mother actually seduced him and hear his side of it. He might then know the boundless, lifelong rage such actions engender.

This isn't the first time your critics have mistaken child abuse for coming of age; the same thing happened with ''Wish You Were Here.''

I find this worse than appalling: Malle and the others have the right to make movies about whatever they like, however they like; but your writers don't have to perpetuate dangerous myths by buying their rationalizations. DEBORAH QUILTER New York