Summary
- Alain Delon’s iconic performance in Le Samourai tops his celebrated career, inspiring filmmakers worldwide.
- The classic hitman movie influenced a genre, inspiring directors like John Woo and Jim Jarmusch.
- Delon’s cool, stoic portrayal of Jef Costello in Le Samourai became a symbol of French cinema worldwide.
As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, I find myself in awe of the profound impact that Jean-Pierre Melville’s masterpiece, “Le Samourai,” has had on the film industry. This movie, released way back in 1967, continues to resonate and influence some of the most iconic films we know today.
Known as one of France’s top film actors, the entertainment industry felt a deep loss upon the death of Alain Delon on August 18, 2024. Over the course of a remarkable 60-year career, Delon graced many notable French films with his presence. From portraying the notorious con artist Tom Ripley in Purple Noon, to depicting Corey in the iconic crime film The Red Circle, and playing Tancredi Falconeri in The Leopard, Delon consistently combined intense passion with striking good looks.
Among the 107 films he’s worked on since 1949, the one starring Alain Delon stands out as his best. This timeless neo-noir assassin film from 1967, called Le Samourai, showcases Delon at his finest. The movie has left an indelible impact on numerous filmmakers worldwide, demonstrating that cinema transcends borders through its universal storytelling.
To honor Delon’s illustrious film career, examining his memorable role in the groundbreaking hitman film “Le Samourai” might lead to a fresh admiration for this revered performer.
Who Is Alain Delon?
Alain Delon, born on November 8, 1935, is recognized as one of the best French film actors of all time. Over a career spanning nearly seven decades from 1949 to 2019, he amassed an impressive 107 acting credits, beginning with the short film “La Rapt“. After playing minor roles in several films, Delon gained prominence for his portrayal of Tom Ripley in the 1960 crime movie “Purple Noon“. This performance solidified his status as a sex symbol and one of the most sought-after leading men among European audiences during the 1960s, ’70s, and ’80s.
After “Purple Noon,” Alain Delon delivered a remarkable performance as Rocco in Luchino Visconti’s seminal domestic drama, “Rocco and His Brothers.” The actor and director collaborated again in the 1963 epic film, “The Leopard,” which was one of the most impactful Italian movies of the ’60s. Towards the end of that decade, Delon once more shone with a captivating performance in “The Swimming Pool,” further solidifying his romantic charm, as seen in “L’Ecclise.”
Delon Worked With Some of the Greatest French Filmmakers of All Time
During his distinguished career, European filmmakers such as Jean-Luc Godard, Louis Malle, Michelangelo Antonioni, and the renowned figurehead of the French New Wave, Jean-Pierre Melville, were among those that Alain Delon collaborated with. In the year 1967, Delon teamed up with Melville to produce “Le Samourai,” a groundbreaking neo-noir crime film that exuded coolness, style, and left an indelible impact on the assassin movie genre, serving as a precursor for future productions in this category.
Beginning with an analysis of how Le Samourai impacted global filmmakers, it’s essential to acknowledge that Delon was honored with a Cesar Award for Best Actor (the French equivalent of an Oscar) for his remarkable performance in the 1985 film Our Story. Regrettably, Delon passed away at the age of 88 on August 18, 2024, following natural causes.
What Is Le Samurai About?
Under the direction of Jean-Pierre Melville, who collaborated on the script with Joan McLeod and Georges Pellegrin, the film “Le Samourai” unfolds the tale of Jef Costello (Delon). Jef is a professional assassin residing in a modest apartment in Paris, exhibiting an unyielding demeanor.
Without feelings or ties, Jef has thrived as a hired assassin, crafting impeccable alibis to avoid police scrutiny. One of his key alibis involves Jane, Alain’s former wife (Nathalie Delon), who verifies his whereabouts when needed.
In the movie Le Samourai, the story unfolds when a man named Jef is tasked with assassinating a nightclub owner called Martey, under the bustling daylight. A pianist called Valerie (played by Cathy Rosier) happens to see Jef commit the murder, alongside other club-goers. The police round up Jef for identification parade, but he manages to evade being pointed out.
After receiving payment for eliminating Martey, Jeff discovers his clients aim to eliminate him instead. This realization comes as a surprise when he’s ambushed with gunfire, forcing him into hiding from both his ruthless employers and the French authorities, headed by Commissioner Pierre (Francois Perier).
An Icy, Stoic Performance
Caught in a tight spot between right and wrong, with only his questionable cunning to rely on, the protagonist Jef takes an extraordinary action that leaves audiences reeling by the end of the film “The Samurai“.
Never giving a false moment of dramatic indication, Delon delivers one of the coolest depictions of a lone hitman living by his own code of conduct in cinematic history. The icy facade, cold blue eyes, the deadpan stoicism, the iconic tan trenchcoat and gray fedora, all add to the growing legend of Delon’s performance in arguably the most influential French crime movie, this side of Goddard’s Breathless (1960).
Le Samurai Inspired Countless Movies & Directors
Drawing inspiration from the cool, understated performances of classic American film noir actors like Humphrey Bogart, Delon brings a sense of familiarity and charm to his role as Jef Costello in “Le Samurai.” Melville’s exceptional writing and directing skills, showcased in this movie, have left an indelible mark on the global film industry. In a 1997 review, American film critic Roger Ebert praised “Le Samourai” for its compelling narrative and technical brilliance.
As a follower, I can express that much like a painter or musician, a filmmaker can convey an impression of utter mastery with minimal touches. Jean-Pierre Melville, in his masterpiece Le Samourai (1967), draws me in before a single word is uttered. He does it through the use of light: a cold, bleak light reminiscent of dawn on an uninviting day. The colors he chooses are gray and blue. And his actions, they replace dialogue, telling a story without uttering a single word.
2010 saw Empire magazine placing “Le Samurai” at number 39 on its list titled “The 100 Best Films of World Cinema.” Fast forward to 2021, French film critic Bertrand Guyard highlighted the fact that Alain Delon shared the screen with his then-wife, Nathalie Delon. He praised their nearly wordless performances as so powerful they could make the camera tremble. According to Guyard, director Melville skillfully created “a mythical couple of cinema.”
The Birth of a Genre
1967’s “Le Samourai” left a profound cultural imprint, but more significantly, it shaped the assassin film genre globally. In a subtle yet powerful narrative style, Melville preferred to let the actors portray the action rather than relying excessively on dialog and verbal explanations – a technique often referred to as “show, don’t tell.” Notably, John Woo, a renowned Hong Kong action director, acknowledged that “Le Samourai” served as an inspiration for his 1989 masterpiece, “The Killer.”
Apart from closely mirroring the storyline, the role of the nightclub performer is changed to a pianist, who becomes the crucial witness in the movie. The character portrayed by Chow Yun Fat is named Jeff Chow, inspired by Jef Costello (Ah Jong in international versions). Additionally, Woo included an emotional essay on the merits of the film “Le Samourai” and Jean-Pierre Melville’s exceptional filmmaking techniques for the movie’s release through Criterion.
Beyond Woo, the film “Ghost Dog” by Jim Jarmusch drew inspiration from the movie “Le Samouraï,” as evidenced by Forest Whitaker’s solitary, contemplative hitman who uses a key-card much like Costello’s reliable key-ring.
In the film “The American” directed by Anton Corbijn, George Clooney adopts the stoic demeanor of a secretive assassin residing in Italy, expressing most of his emotions through facial expressions and physical gestures. Similarly, Nicolas Winding Refn’s action-packed movie “Drive” presents an aloof hitman caught between various factions of the law, with Ryan Gosling’s nameless enforcer also donning a distinctive wardrobe.
In recent times, David Fincher’s film “The Killer” frequently references the classic movie “Le Samourai” by showcasing an assassin who is isolated, has foolproof alibis, and commits crucial errors. Furthermore, Madonna’s 2012 music video for “Beautiful Killer” also pays tribute to Jean-Paul Belmondo’s iconic portrayal in “Le Samourai”. Over time, Melville’s movie and Belmondo’s performance have become a widely respected symbol of French culture that has resonated globally.
Influence Felt Around the World
One lesser-known demonstrations of the global impact of the film “Le Samourai” are seen in the 2001 Hong Kong crime-comedy, “You Shoot, I Shoot“. In this movie, a contract killer becomes infatuated with Jef Costello from “Le Samourai“, and he adopts his distinctive fedora and trench coat as part of his own persona.
1978’s crime thriller by Walter Hill, titled The Driver, draws inspiration from the female witness situation in the film Le Samourai. Conversely, Johnny To’s 2009 action movie, Vengeance , presents a protagonist named Costello. Interestingly, To had proposed this role to Jean-Paul Belmondo, but he declined it.
Regardless of other factors, the enduring impact that the film “Le Samourai,” which debuted in 1967, has had on filmmakers worldwide solidifies its status as a timeless classic. Notable directors such as Martin Scorsese, Michael Mann, and Quentin Tarantino have acknowledged it as an inspiration for their own work. Moreover, the movie enjoys a perfect score of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and consistently ranks among Jean-Paul Belmondo’s best performances and among the greatest French film noir crime movies ever produced.
Le Samurai
is available to stream on Max
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2024-08-23 02:32