Alain Delon: The timeless allure of a cinematic icon
A star beyond beauty
Cinema isn’t a beauty contest, but if it were, Alain Delon would undoubtedly have clinched the title of the 1960s’ most handsome actor. This isn’t just a subjective opinion; it’s a sentiment echoed by many. Jane Fonda, who co-starred with Delon in 1964’s Joy House, once described him as “the most beautiful human being.” Delon’s piercing wolf-blue eyes, Elvis Presley cheekbones, and fit, ready-to-wrestle physique made him an unattainable ideal during a transformative decade in film history.
The rise of a legend
Delon’s journey to stardom began with the Patricia Highsmith adaptation Purple Noon (Plein Soleil) in 1960, where he played the seductive Tom Ripley. This role set the stage for his iconic turn in Jacques Deray’s La Piscine. Over a career spanning 50 years and more than 100 movies, Delon evolved from a streetwise, slightly puppy-like actor in his early roles to a suave, disaffected icon.
Early roles and transformation
In his early roles, such as the eponymous Italian bruiser in Luchino Visconti’s Rocco and His Brothers and the amorous stockbroker in Michelangelo Antonioni’s L’eclisse, Delon exuded a dangerous yet seductive potential. However, he soon settled into a less-is-more acting style, epitomized by his casual cigarette smoking and indifferent demeanor. This transformation was not just about looks; it was about embodying a man who didn’t care what others thought of him.
The accidental actor
Delon never aspired to be an actor. His journey began when Brigitte Auber, a French starlet, found him drunk on a Parisian bridge and brought him back to her place. This encounter led to his introduction to the right people at the Cannes Film Festival in 1957. Within no time, Delon was working in movies, appearing opposite Romy Schneider in 1968’s Christine. His chiseled features and neatly coiffed hair made him look like a live-action Disney prince.
The Visconti connection
Italian director Luchino Visconti was smitten with Delon, casting him in both Rocco and His Brothers and The Leopard. In these films, Delon embodied a generation that would inevitably succeed the old guard. His early performances were marked by an agitated, unpredictable tension, which he later learned to suppress.
The Melville era
Delon’s most significant artistic collaboration was with filmmaker Jean-Pierre Melville. Melville’s fiercely independent productions predated and inspired the French New Wave. Delon starred in Melville’s Le Samouraï (1967), a sleek, dialogue-sparse portrait of a self-sacrificing criminal antihero. This film is not only the source of Delon’s most impactful performance but also arguably the coolest film of all time.
The cool antihero
In Le Samouraï, Delon plays Jef Costello, a hired gun who moves undetected through the streets of Paris. The film’s tension lies in Delon’s meticulous construction of his alibi and the subsequent assassination of a nightclub boss. Delon’s nearly expressionless face and gruff, flat line readings made his character seem tough and intimidating. This approach influenced American stars like Clint Eastwood and Steve McQueen, though neither had Delon’s mannequin-fine looks.
The Hollywood temptation
Despite offers from Hollywood, Delon preferred to remain a big fish in the small pond of European cinema. This decision was shrewd, considering how Hollywood often typecast actors with foreign accents. Delon dabbled in a few English-language productions but chose to focus on European films, where he could maintain his artistic integrity.
The competitive edge
Delon’s competitive nature was evident in his collaboration with Jean-Paul Belmondo in the 1970 gangster movie Borsalino. Both actors were huge names, and pairing them was a no-brainer. However, Delon, who produced the project, gave himself top billing, leading to a bumpy development in their careers.
The enduring legacy
Fame never flickered for Delon, who remained beloved in France till the end. However, looks don’t last forever. By 1969, when he made La Piscine with Romy Schneider, Delon was starting to show his age. The film, set on the French Riviera, is a hot, sticky erotic thriller where Delon’s character drowns a rival after corrupting his daughter. Despite the film’s unraveling towards the end, Delon’s sun-bronzed presence remains unforgettable.
The beauty of cinema
Cinema has a unique way of suspending the world’s loveliest people in amber, allowing us to remember them at their peak. Delon may have left us, but through films like Purple Noon, Le Samouraï, and La Piscine, he will smolder forever.
For those who wish to delve deeper into Delon’s cinematic journey, here are some direct links to trailers and information pages:
Delon’s legacy is not just about his looks but about the indelible mark he left on cinema. His performances continue to inspire and captivate audiences, ensuring that his allure remains timeless.