Though no less important because of its inevitability, what follows still need not surprise: speaking to newspaper Nice-Matin (via France24), French legend Jean-Louis Trintignant has announced the end of his long, storied acting career. As one might expect of the 82-year-old performer, physical difficulties are cited as the primary reason for a ceasing of activity — which may be a shame, though his note to “[m]ake room for the young” does show a playfulness and affability all the same. It doesn’t hurt that, instead of a press conference or $10,000,000 television spectacular, the seven-decade-long career is to reach its conclusion rather humbly, “with a poetry recital next week in the southeastern city of Antibes.”
While most would immediately recognize Trintignant for his recent, stirring work in Michael Haneke‘s Palme d’Or winner, Amour, to note that is to only think of the iceberg’s tip. Looking over his filmography, one sees a list of collaborators that would put so many of his contemporaries to shame: Truffaut, Rohmer, Kieślowski, Corbucci, Gavras, Chabrol, Lelouch, and Bertolucci. What a list of pictures, too: My Night at Maud’s, Three Colors: Red, Confidentially Yours, The Conformist, Z, And God Created Woman, The Great Silence — this, on both fronts, is only to name the most significant entries, and certainly not to discredit any other great films or film artists in his repertoire.
Trintignant‘s removal from the medium could not be deemed insignificant, but the body of work remains, and the body of work is likely one which we can continue exploring & reaping the rewards of for years to come. As far as recent cinematic retirements go, this is the most-deserved.
How do you feel about Jean-Louis Trintignant leaving the craft behind?