Film classics prefer to conjure up these feelings while driving in an open car: to the coast, along the shore, with a view of the wide sea. Jean Louis Trintignant and Anouk Aimee fall in love as Un homme et une femme in Deauville. Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway in The Thomas Crown Affair enjoy their togetherness at Crane Beach in Massachusetts. Cary Grant and Grace Kelly kiss for the first time on the switchbacks above the rooftops of Nice. The secret protagonist in each case: the vehicle.
Hollywood’s new star
This is also the case in this story, which also takes place on the Côte d’Azur. The special car in question that takes us there: a Mercedes-Benz 190 SL. Wide radiator grille, noble chrome parts, elegantly rounded fenders, perfect styling. For almost 60 years, the sports car legend has enjoyed cult status. From the very beginning, Hollywood contributed to this worldwide notoriety. No sooner had the first models with the three-pointed star and the signature “Sport Leicht” appeared in the USA than they were already receiving film offers. The SL became the dream car for the dream factory. The stars – among them Grace Kelly and Cary Grant – liked to show up in private at the SL. Our vehicle, painted black, belonged to Ruth Pinnau, grande dame of Hamburg society and wife of the architect Caesar Pinnau. He had equipped Aristotle Onassis’ famous yacht Christina O and later rebuilt the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes.
Law of attraction
It is there, in what is probably the noblest hostel in the south of France, that the hero of our story is now drawn to: Jude Law, acteur extraordinaire and Sexiest Man Alive. The occasion is a discreet date with a beautiful stranger. But in this case, the anticipation begins with the journey. Through the picture-book landscapes of the south of France, our gentleman driver steers his roadster over the winding roads of the Alpes-Maritimes. For real driving fun, it goes uphill and downhill, over viaducts and gorges, past imposing rock faces. Wherever he passes, you turn around to look for the striking man – or alternatively for the glittering chrome 190 SL. Jude Law drives confidently, focused. He doesn’t show the thirst for adventure that he may feel on this road trip. Effortless and serene, Law is the ideal embodiment of the connoisseur who knows how to live the Mediterranean dolce vita – at least since his role in The Talented Mr. Ripley earned him an Oscar nomination in 1999.
A man of character
The secret behind it: passion for profession. In addition to his undoubted talent and outrageously good looks, it’s discipline and work that have made the London-born actor what he is today: one of Hollywood’s most sought-after male performers and part of the international jet set. But he never made it easy for himself, always looking for the challenge of complex, even uncomfortable roles. In between, he regularly appears on stage in London or on Broadway. To ground yourself. To be with his family. You can also feel this in conversation. Jude Law is a smooth operator yet charming and uncomplicated. A man who has found his center. That’s what makes him independent, and you can see that in him – a new King of Cool, like Steve McQueen once did. This matter-of-factness is palpable down to the smallest, unintentional gestures: how he loosens his tie while driving, how he hypnotically fixes on the road, how he lets the steering wheel of his SL slip through his fingers.
Esprit of extravagance
Finally, behind the last bend, the sea. From here it is only a stone’s throw to Antibes, the meeting place of the rich and famous. The driveway up to the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc is almost unreal romantic, and the 190 SL makes the picture perfect. Jude Law strolls through the pine-lined park directly to the jetty next to the pool, the agreed meeting point of his rendez-vous. The panorama: sea and sky in bright blue, kissed by the magnificent light of the South of France. At the end of the jetty a stunning motorboat. What unknown beauty is waiting inside, hidden under her broad sun hat, we cannot recognize. But Jude Law, with his mischievous look, jacket thrown over his shoulder, slightly open shirt and self-assured, unagitated step, is pure nonchalance. That’s exactly what makes his sex appeal. For us, this is no longer the case. But who can resist this combination?
JUDE LAW
Jude Law discovered his profession at an early age. At the age of 14 he was on stage for the first time. Since then, the series of his awards has not stopped. This man can play just about anything, and is considered an irresistible cast for casual elegance. His professional and social commitment speak for themselves. Jude Law has long since proven that he doesn’t just look stunning, but has more to offer: cleverness, assertiveness and finesse. Just a man with class.
PETER LINDBERGH
He was also called the poet of glamour: as a photographer, Lindbergh had a knack for relaxing on set with his generous kindness, for models and celebrities alike. Formerly living in Paris, Arles and New York, the Duisburg native came to photography in a roundabout way in 1971: And it was love at first sight. Today, he not only photographs world stars, but is one himself. As a passionate cinema lover, he stages Jude Law’s journey in the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL with echoes of famous film scenes: from Hitchcock’s Over the Rooftops of Nice to the driving scenes of Steve McQueen. Peter Lindbergh passed away in September 2019.
MERCEDES-BENZ 190 SL
From 1955 to 1963, the Mercedes-Benz 190 SL was the epitome of a well-groomed lifestyle. Many of its sporty stylistic elements are based on its “big brother”, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL: the front grille, the bumpers, the front headlights and the shape of the bonnet. As an export hit to the USA, the SL series soon became a welcome guest in Hollywood productions. And this remained the case with the successor models. Whether as a fast-paced getaway car, stylish companion, desirable thief’s booty or seductive gift – to this day, all SL generations have starred in countless films and cult TV series. Yet they are often much more than decorative accessories – they quickly attract everyone’s attention and become the hero of the plot themselves.
HOTEL DU CAP-EDEN-ROC
The hotel has become an icon in its own right. During the Cannes Film Festival, the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc was and still is a real magnet for Hollywood’s first tier. The atmosphere is a bit like a class reunion for Oscar winners. What they appreciate so much about the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc is the discretion, the unique service, the delicious food at star level and, last but not least, the unbeatable location. In the summer of 1931, Stefan Zweig wrote in the guest book: “Grateful for the sky, landscape and silence around this blessed house.” This is how many of the loyal regulars feel, even far away from the hustle and bustle of the film festival. Year after year, they come with their children and grandchildren to spend an unforgettable time in this idyll.
