Colcoa 2021 - Q&A Le Magnifique, Jacqueline Bisset and Francis Weber

Los Angeles, DGA, November 6 2021 Special Screening Homage to Jean-Paul Belmondo Le Magnifique is a French-Italian film directed by Philippe de Broca, released in 1973. It is a pastiche of spy films and James Bond movies. A shy writer has invented a literary double, a secret agent who has the seduction and courage he does not have, and transforms the people of his daily life into characters of novel. James Bond meets Walter Mitty in Philippe de Broca’s giddy 1973 send up of B-series spy movies, starring the inimitable Jean-Paul Belmondo at his gleeful, charismatic best. Here, Belmondo relishes the dual comic roles of François Merlin, milquetoast author of 42 very pulpy espionage novels, and his alter-ego, the ultra-dapper superspy Bob Saint-Clar. For her part, Jacqueline Bisset does double-duty, as well — as François’ sociology student neighbor, Christine, and his uber-sexy literary femme fatale, Tatiana. The over-the-topness of this tongue-in-cheek, merry romp knows no bounds… and is downright magnifique