Mr. Hulot's Holiday

The closing frames are so remarkably fitting, because this really is a ninety minute postcard. We know so little about these characters, even Hulot himself, but by the end we feel like we're right there on vacation with them. It's amusing and entertaining, heartwarming and a bit bittersweet, and it leaves you hoping so much that when these characters say they'll be returning the following year, that they truly mean it.

A bit Chaplin and a bit Keaton, Hulot's clumsy obliviousness continually gets him into and out of trouble. What makes this film unique is its tranquil mood. Hulot brings the audience on holiday with him, the pace is gentle and peaceful, only approaching mania in the explosive climax (and even then, done with a degree of tasteful restraint). There's almost no dialogue, no plot, no sense of forward movement. It's a series of beautiful, comic postcards. The recurring musical theme is lovely too.

Though Hulot is a great, Chaplinesque character who serves a lot of laughs, the real star of this film is the rest of society, in which everyone is a bumbling idiot. Unconventional in its lack of plot. It's more of a showcase of the ridiculous world that Tati creates.

Probably one of the most pleasant ways to spend an hour and a half. Hulot is a gentleman but he's also a bumbler and watching him react to his own inadvertent chaos is very amusing, even laugh-out-loud funny at times. Tati's slapstick is only enhanced by his compositional sensibilities - the Keaton influence is obvious, but Hulot is a bit goofier and clumsier.

Hilarious slapstick, and just general chaplinesque comedy are abound in this extremely funny work by Jacques Tati. Mr. Hulot's Holiday follows around the title character Mr. Hulot through some ridiculous and almost unbearably embarassing situations whilst on his holiday on the beach. The character of Mr. Hulot is half Charlie Chaplin, and half Mr. Bean. He is an extremely fun character, and one I appreciate, but there are times in this film when it felt really dull, but generally well done!