L'incorrigible

This is a movie definitively tailored for Belmondo. There are others that are, too, and they are good. Here it is just a Belmondo-Echo-Chamber. He's not the usual hero here, but the perfect hero. Every man and woman fall for him, he sells whatever he feels like selling, from houses to islands.

In this movie he beats whatever can be beaten. And he always returns to his humble background. The only thing that I could, and wanted to remember was that girl, the girl who initially kept her distance, until, towards the end, got the better of Belmondo.

If you ARE a fan, you'd probably want to watch this. Otherwise, skip it.

Philippe de Broca revives with Jean-Paul Belmondo after the masterpiece The Magnificent (1973).

Jean-Paul Belmondo excels in this weepy, cowardly, profiteer, gifted for improvisation, clueless, ultimately sympathetic character, who becomes endearing, because he is ultimately not evil and is especially unsuited, to everything.

We appreciate the clown Jean-Paul Belmondo, who remains here in a frame that seems mastered by Philippe de Broca. We like Geneviève Bujold who tames the wild Jean-Paul Belmondo as well as all the other characters. We appreciate Julien Guiomar who is a master of delusions. Charles Gérard has for once a useful character (and is not just there because he is someone's boyfriend).

To complete this, the female cast is impressive: besides Geneviève Bujold, there are Capucine, Dora Doll, and Andréa Ferréol with unusual characters.

I really love Belmondo, he is a great actor, and his collaborations with Philippe de Broca are usually great successes: "Cartourche", "the man from Rio", "the tribulations of a Chinese in China", "le Magnfique "... All these films have in common: humor, action and a breathtaking pace! You never get bored for a single second! This movie is weaker than the others in my opinion. The character of Victor played by Belmondo pushes the caricature somewhat too far. Some gags are too repetitve and drawn in length, for example the scene of the painting's theft. In the same vein, I prefer a lot "le Magnifique" produced two years ealier. Audiard's dialogues are also less punchy than usual, they feel a little warmed up, and the secnario is not very consistent. In short, you will still have a fairly good funny time, but the result could have been much better. I prefer the older ones...

L'Incorrigible is a rambunctious European comedy that's enjoyable as a breezy diversion. If you enjoy the two leads, then you'll find the antics entertaining enough. Everything unfolds at a breakneck pace in set piece after set piece. The plotting is a little loose and difficult to comprehend at times, but the star power and general sense of fun more than makes up for any deficiencies. This is madcap Belmondo with lots of scenery chewing, as he charms his way through this little caper. L'Incorrigible is tasty cinema confectionery fluffed up for an undemanding date night parisian experience!

I'm french, so I had the pleasure to listen to the real dialogues for this movie. As usual, they are superb. Michel Audiard was a really great writer, his dialogues are full of intelligence and remarkably well written.

This movie is not to be missed, and is one of the best comedy by Philippe de Broca with Jean-Paul Belmondo.