From the Desk of Jim R: At the Movies: In Remembrance: Celebrating the Life and Films of Iconic French Film Star Jean-Paul Belmondo - "Breathless," "That Man From Rio," "Borsalino" and "Le Magnifique"

By James V. Ruocco

Jean-Paul Belmondo, rightfully proclaimed "the spoiled child of French cinema," quietly passed away September 6, 2021. He was 88 years old.
A film actor for more than 50 years of his life, the handsome Frenchman was the embodiment of important French cinema - "Breathless," "L'Homme de Rio," "A double tour," "Le Professionnel" - with a career that began in 1957 following the release of "Les coupains du dimanche," directed by Henri Aisner.

"He will forever remain 'The Magnificent,' " said Emmanuel Marcon, President of France. "Jean-Paul Belmondo was a national treasure, full of panache and bursts of laughter, with loud words and swift body, sublime hero and familiar figure, tireless daredevil and magician of words. In him, we found ourselves."

Belmondo's lasting acclaim - career choices from art-house films to lightweight comedies and edgy action dramas - kept him at the top of his game playing opposite such film luminaries as Alain Delon, Jeanne Moreau, Sophia Loren, Jean Gabin, Catherine Deneuve, Anna Karina and Claudia Cardinale.

Delon, a lifelong friend who appeared in "Is Paris Burning?" and "Borsalino" and three other films with Belmondo, said he was "completely devastated" by the French star's death. "I'll try to resist not doing the same thing in five hours.
"It wouldn't be bad if we left together. He is a part of my life. We started together 60 years ago."

Cardinale, like Delon, could also not hide her emotion. On film, she played opposite Belmondo in "La Viaccia" and "Cartouche." "Jean-Paul was smiles, joie de vivre, audacity and simplicity," she confessed. "My deepest affection goes to his family members and in particular to his children.
"Now I am left alone. I am deeply saddened. For me, Jean-Paul was and will remain, as for many others, the image of vitality."

And rightly, so.

On September 10, 2021, following a national tribute the day before outside the Hotel de Invalides, the French bade farewell to Belmondo at the Saint-Germain-de-Pres church in Paris. During the ceremony, Delon hugged the actor's coffin, a loving, emotional act, which, in turn, left everyone crying.
It was a funeral marked with smiles, speeches, applause, tears and a standing ovation - all fitting for those who knew and loved Belmondo.

In celebration of Belmondo's long and treasured film career, what follows is a listing of some of his greatest cinematic efforts, in no particular order.

Cool.
Magnetic.
Effortless.
Sexy.
Passionate.
Rebellious.
That was (and is) Jean-Paul Belmondo.

Breathless (A bout de souffle)