by Shubhajit Lahiri
Though not as universally popular as Charlie Chaplin’s Little Tramp, master French filmmaker Jacques Tati’s creation Monsieur Hulot too remains an unforgettable character where slapstick comedy goes. Mr. Hulot’s Holiday introduced cinephiles to the friendly and polite, albeit bumbling, socially awkward and accident-prone everyman and the eponymous character of the film.
When Mr. Hulot visits a pleasant French countryside retreat for vacation, it is inevitable that mishaps will occur, and they form the basis for the immense enjoyment that the movie provides. Never one to indulge in over-dramatisation or racous fun, Tati filled the film with hilarious gags that make you laugh through their brilliant ideation, wit, subtle gestures and unadulterated humour – the brilliance of imagination and execution certainly ensured that the viewers would roll on the floor with laughter.
The sequence which introduced us, and the unfortunate hotel guests, to Hulot, and the one where he decides to display his tennis skills, are acts of pure genius and parts of cinematic folklore. In fact, the movie is filled with a multitude of moments that would stay with the viewers, including even something as mundane as the opening and closing of a door!
The film has very little in terms of dialogues; consequently it is more akin to the pure entertainment of silent era comedies which had to rely solely on audio-visual interplay. Tati was equally memorable as an actor, as he himself played the perennially pipe-smoking, unwittingly clumsy and thoroughly indelible protagonist of this astounding masterpiece.
Tati would go on to make three more films featuring Monsieur Hulot – Mon Oncle, Playtime (each better than the preceding film), and Traffic. It would be worthwhile to note that, the Hulot series had its beginning, albeit indirectly, in Tati’s debut film itself – the charming Jour De Fete.
Note: Shubhajit sent me an e mail apologizing for not being able at this very busy time for him to pen a longer review. I don’t personally feel that length is ever an issue, especially since he has consistently mastered the art of the capsule.
How M. Hulot’s Holiday made the Top 100:
#5 Marilyn Ferdinand
My favorite Jacques Tati film. He didn’t produce a large quantity of work in his film career, but everything he did was gold. “The movie is filled with a multitude of moments that would stay with the viewers, including even something as mundane as the opening and closing of a door!” Yes, I too remember this and many other sight (and sound) gags. As you rightly note, the film is largely silent in terms of dialogue, one memorable bit of that being when M. Hulot pronounces his name so precisely for the desk clerk. There are so many great gags in fact that I’ll only note that as in the films of the great American silent film comedians Tati idolized, this film is a treasure trove of inspired gags.
I love the film’s observing funny close shaves in material action, and then more nuanced brushes with satisfactions that are bound to fade away—the pretty girl’s sensing something special about him; and the hen-pecked little husband telling him at the end (when he’s alienated everyone else) that he hopes he’ll see him again sometime.
Shubhajit, you lovingly encapsulate the timeless qualities of this eternal classic, but a genius who certainly does deserve to be mentioned with the likes of Chaplin, Keaton and Lloyd. It’s funny, but ultimately painful that I made another blunder by accidentally leaving this off my ballot. I had a few other Tatis, but may have been leery to include all his major works. Truth is I love this film to the tune of second favorite behind only PLAYTIME. The film captures a time and a place, and is suffused with charm, wit and insights, and a montage-style visual scheme that showcases baeutiful lighting, composition and the inventive use of sound. Hulot, with his idiot savant personality is completely endearing with his awkward attempts at romance. The film is a treasure.
Thanks a lot Sam.
I’m loving this blog, so much to learn, so much to read, it’s been two days that I haven’t done any work…
Thanks a lot for the review on “Death of Stalinism in Bohemia”, that one brought me here.
Greetings from Ecuador,
Remi
PS. is there a facebook page for this blog that I could like??
The Tati universe is enhances by this gentle, sweet and sublime French classic. There are always comparisons with Mr. Bean, but Hulot is not as socially inept, and he’s not as lonely. He has a nice time with the beautiful blonde and the tennis player he makes friends with. The film is one of Tati’s best. Fine, concise review!
Thanks Frank.
This film is probably Tati’s most charming and romantic work, filled with a loving nostalgia. There is a sweetness and a bittersweet twinge to this masterful comedy. It stands alone and although more humble in scope than say Play Time, it is nonetheless funny, poignant, and remarkably made by a genius. Love that part where the boat breaks and looks like a shark. Thanks Shubhajit for reminding me of how wonderful this film is.
The pleasure was mine, Jon