I read this morning that the French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo had died at the age of 88 in Paris.
Belmondo had a long and illustrious career in the European cinema and though he was famed worldwide he never made films in Hollywood, preferring to make his name in his homeland.
The movie that launched him as "the face of the New Wave" and won him comparisons to Marlon Brando and James Dean was the debut film of Jean-Luc Godard which was called "Breathless" by the English-speaking world.
Much of the movie was shot with a hand-held camera and was mostly ad-libbed by Belmondo and his co-star, the American Jean Seberg.
I don't think I'd ever seen the film so I found it on a streaming service and Judy and I watched it today.
Like most French films, it is very "talky" and seems at times like it's going nowhere but the beautiful faces of the actors command one's attention.
It has since been acclaimed as one of the best films of all time.
Seberg lived half of her life in France and died at the age of 40 in what police ruled as a probable suicide.
I recognize him, but did not see that film. In 2019 there was film on Jean Seberg and the actress looked just like her. At this age I'm using subtitles all the time anyway, so a French film is no problem!
ReplyDeleteI was not familiar with him.
ReplyDeleteGood-looking guy who got even better looking when he aged. She has such a beautiful face and looks great in short hair. I love French films but they are talky; they are short on action and long on character development. (which I enjoy)
ReplyDeleteFollowed him from his beginnings, in 'art houses' in portland in the early 70's. He and Jon Claude Killey made me want to move to France.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard the news. Another great gone.
ReplyDelete88, wow. I've seen a number of his films, always had a Gaulouise hanging out of his mouth. RIP
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like to stream "Breathless." I'm going to see if I can find it. I remember when it came out and the names Seberg and Belmondo. It may be time to take a look.
ReplyDeleteI remember him!
ReplyDeleteI loved "Breathless" when I saw it years ago, mostly because of Seberg. I didn't even remember Belmondo was in it until he died, to be honest.
ReplyDeleteFor those interested in French Cinema and its influences on generations of Hollywood actors and directors check out Francois Truffaut
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