The misfit : Jean-Paul Belmondo as a violent cop
If Clint Eastwood had Inspector Harry, the French equivalent would probably be it Jean-Paul Belmondo as curator Philippe Jordan in The misfit (1983). Directed by Jacques Deray, the film stars the actor as a police officer with unconventional methods. He therefore does not hesitate to attack the drug trafficker Sauveur Mecacci, active in Marseille. Except that the latter causes a body to be found at the policeman’s house, who then finds himself moved to Paris. For him, this will only be a small obstacle in his attempt to stop Mecacci.
This plot could have given rise to an action comedy, rather focused on humor. This had been the case a few years earlier Cops and robbers (1979), with a very funny Marie Laforêt. But for The misfitthe tone is much more serious and dark. An approach that did not entirely convince Michel Audiard, the author of the film’s dialogues, who refused to appear in the credits. Surprising when we see the success the film had when it was released in theaters. A success which, moreover, appears in hindsight as a turning point in the career of Jean-Paul Belmondo.
Belmondo’s last great success
In fact, with almost 5 million entries (4,956,822 exactly), The misfit it was the third biggest success at the French box office in 1983. For Jean-Paul Belmondo it was not the first time he touched the public so much. The man from Rio (1963) had reached 4.8 million entries, Borsalino (1970) 4.7 million, the professional (1981) had exceeded the 5 million mark, while The brain (1969) was his biggest hit with 5.5 million viewers. However, after Jacques Deray’s film, the actor is no longer one most managed to score that high.
That doesn’t mean audiences abandoned him after this crime drama. Immediately afterwards The misfitcontinues Jean-Paul Belmondo The Morphalus (1984) which continued to appeal 3.6 million viewers. A good score, but still a loss of over 1 million viewers compared to Jean-Paul Belmondo’s previous films. A first time for the actor, and not the last. happy Easter (1984) had previously stagnated at 3.4 million entries Hold up (1985) doesn’t let him dive 2.3 million tickets sold. You will have to wait Itinerary of a spoiled child (1988) to see it rise again (3.2 million entries). However, this will remain Jean-Paul Belmondo’s last film to attract more than 1.1 million spectators.
Source: Cine Serie

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