[.ca] M. Hulots Holiday

From Amazon.co.uk:
Forefather of Rowan Atkinson's Mr. Bean, Jacques Tati's Monsieur Hulot--a recurring character in several of his movies--is a blithely clumsy troublemaker, an insouciant twit who leaves uproar in his wake without being aware of it. Trying to describe this 1953 comedy is next to impossible except to say it is a series of vignettes at a vacation resort, with the distracted Hulot providing a lot of laughs. Tati directs, and in a way what that really means is that he composes this movie with a perfect eye and ear for the comic possibilities in everything: composition, lighting, minimal marble-mouth dialogue, certain sounds (a duck call, a door repeatedly opening and shutting). This is a superior work that ranks among all-time classic comedies. --Tom Keogh

Amazon.com essential video:
Forefather of Rowan Atkinson's Mr. Bean, Jacques Tati's Monsieur Hulot--a recurring character in several of his movies--is a blithely clumsy troublemaker, an insouciant twit who leaves uproar in his wake without being aware of it. Trying to describe this 1953 comedy is next to impossible except to say it is a series of vignettes at a vacation resort, with the distracted Hulot providing a lot of laughs. Tati directs, and in a way what that really means is that he composes this movie with a perfect eye and ear for the comic possibilities in everything: composition, lighting, minimal marble-mouth dialogue, certain sounds (a duck call, a door repeatedly opening and shutting). This is a superior work that ranks among all-time classic comedies. --Tom Keogh

A Real Gem:
The comedic genius that was Jacques Tati is that rare type that can make you laugh at life's simple things while also giving the viewer poignant views of the every day. His humor is not mean spirited but finds humor in all the things and people around us. "M.Hulot's Holiday" takes us to a French seaside resort. Not the flashy places mind you but the kind of place the folks who drive your bus or sells you your groceries would go to. There are the occasional types who think they are above the rest but all are really on the same level. The husband of one of those later types carries out a quiet rebellion with subtle bits of sabotage throughout the film. Into this mix comes Hulot in a car that is an insurance adjuster's nightmare. Hulot goes through his vacation leaving little bits of chaos behind him. A fireworks display that turns into a minor world war or a simple boat trip that turns into a prequel for "Jaws". The film is mostly in French with subtitles but don't let that put you off because there is not too much dialogue. Tati's humor is mostly visual and it speaks volumes. Some of the vacationers are British and they speak English. There is an alternate all English track that was supervised by Tati but as I said the dialogue is so sparse its not worth it. The film has been restored to its pristine condition and an early short film with Tati is also included. If you are tired of alleged comedies that think shouting at you and using curse words constitutes being funny than go on a little vacation with Hulot. Despite the death trap car you'll have a wonderful time.

A Comedy of Memory:
When I first saw "Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot" many years ago, I couldn't understand what was the big deal. The film had its amusing moments - Hulot's Amilcar bouncing down the road and that tennis game! - but it seemed too slight for all the adjectives that critics had bestowed upon it. After getting the DVD two years ago (before it was temporarily discontinued), I watched it again and saw an entirely different movie. The slightness that had bored me when I was teenager had changed into a feeling of wistfulness - the sense that we're watching a transient, quickly passing moment in people's lives. Tati's comedy, much more gentle than most American comedies, reveals itself only in multiple viewings. The film is more like a comic meditation on memory: how our all-too-brief periods of leisure open up and close possbilities for friendship, love, and other human interactions. This is a film to revisit again and again.

a nice French comedy:
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film While not as funny as I expected, M. Hulot's Holiday, is one of the most popular French comedies of the 1950's. It is directed by and stars Jaques Tati. The original French title is "Le Vacances de M. Hulot" The film is part of a quadrilogy 3 of which have been put on DVD by the Criterion Collection (as of July 2004). The story follows Mr. Hulot, a very clumsy man who takes a vacation to an oceanfront hotel. While there he causes many different kinds of accidents ranging from a horse causing a car passenger to be stuck in the rumble seat to letting a load of fireworks to go off inside a shed. There is much slapstick humor in the film also but does not even come close to the level attained in the Three Stooges short films. The film has a few sight gags also which are impressive. The Criterion DVD includes an introduction by the writer, Terry Jones and includes the short film "Soigne ton gauche" or "look to your Left". This DVD was out of print for a while and was rereleased in early 2004 The current edition is identical to the previous edition.

Mr Hulot' Holiday or Les Vacances de M Hulot:
Is this the greatest comedy ever made? I think so! Jacques Tati's masterpiece is the perfect movie to watch during summertime. He's giving us a taste of a vacation by the sea. And even though the humor is efforless it is quite unique. Some of the scenes will be part of your every day life after you watch it! The ice cream and the firecracker scenes are perfect timing. So many scenes are unforgettable! Jacques Tati' uses the daily noise as a metaphor of the absurd. This movie can be watch on many level but the best one is to relax and enjoy an exquisite and mesmerizing movie. Enjoy...

1:33:1 vs. 1:37:1?:
I will not review this film as I have purchased but not received it yet, however... TK RILEY's review lambasts Criterion for NOT transfering in WIDESCREEN format: 1. If you look up this film at imdb.com and click on DVD DETAILS you will notice that the DVD is presented in "Academy Aspect Ratio" which translates to: 1:33:1 Aspect Ratio. 2. If you look up this film at imdb.com and click on TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS you will see it was originally filmed within an aspect ratio of 1:37:1 3. imdb.com will state if this is "PAN AND SCAN" (and they do NOT!) IN FACT, here is a quote from Criterions website titled "About the transfer" -- M. Hulot's Holiday is presented in its original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.33:1. 4. CONCLUSION: How much could we be missing? Answer: NOT MUCH! Forgetta bou'dit! Purchase and enjoy!