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There are few major cultural institutions left in London that Brit art historian, writer and broadcaster Tim Marlow hasn’t had a hand in shaping. Awarded an OBE in the 2020 New Year Honours for services to the arts, he founded Tate: The Art Magazine in 1993, spent more than a decade as director of exhibitions at White Cube Gallery and five years as artistic director of the Royal Academy of Arts, before taking on the top job at London’s Design Museum a year ago. You can catch him as host of the new TV culture show Sky Arts Late, but it’s the landmark Charlotte Perriand exhibition, opening in June, that he’s looking forward to most. ‘She’s one of the most important designers of the 20th century.’ designmuseum.org
There is no specific plot, but the audience follows Mr. Hulot as he tries to enjoy his time, usually unsuccessfully. He spends his days trying new activities such as tennis and boating but always ends up causing chaos. Mr. Hulot's unruly antics, including mishaps on his tennis game and sunbathing habits, as well as incidents such as him scaring horses and disrupting people's picnics, make for some of the funniest scenes in the film. So I suppose that, instead of a plot synopsis, I must provide a good substitute; and I shall. Maybe you would like to know some of the film's "jokes", if one could call them such a thing. But what is a joke? Do we laugh at every "joke"? I don't suppose that the film wants us to be laughing WITH it half of the time. Maybe it sees laughter as a more silent thing that we should all cherish. I agree with the film, if this is the case, and if this is its philosophy. Right from the outset, the film immerses viewers into the vacation scene, with shots of the morning sun, crowded city streets, and railway stations. The use of long and medium shots efficiently capture the arrival of different holidaymakers and gives viewers an insight into their personalities.The performances are also noteworthy, especially that of Jacques Tati, who portrays Mr. Hulot. Tati's character seems to fit so well in the film's environment, with his subtle gestures and expressions conveying his personality. The other actors in the film, including Nathalie Pascaud and Micheline Rolla, all play their respective roles effortlessly, adding to the film's overall charm. The film was directed and co-written by Jacques Tati. He also stars as Hulot; his leading character. In appearance, Mr. Hulot dons a trench coat, walks with a lurch, and is forever-smoking a pipe. Hulot is a bumbling idiot; and I suppose this is funny mainly because he isn't particularly "in" on the joke. I'll try to keep myself from spoiling any more of his misadventures in beach-wonderland; as I've already described a few, and they are indeed good misadventures. I guess you'll just have to see the movie for yourself.
There is a recurring joke in the film. It is the satire of politics and culture; of France, I would say. Staying at the same resort as Hulot are some particularly snobbish people. They are the upper class residents of the country; rude, unaccepting, and annoyed when Hulot unknowingly leaves open the door and lets loose the ever-so-unknown substance known as air into the room. There's a wonderful scene where Hulot's boat collapses, not too far out from the beach, and it looks like a shark's mouth opening and closing. The people, on the beach, see this and flee with their children; leaving everything else behind. This is funny because it presents simple, but comedic paranoia. Again as I indicated it appears his entire life was inside of a 100 mile diameter circle, there's zero reason to believe he left the area to travel 900 miles all penniless and shit. The laughs, when the come, are the sort to double you over with pain and tears in your eyes. Its wonderfully funny.
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The problem that some people will have with the film is its pacing and plot. Actually there is no plot, its simply a collection of events while Hulot stays at the seaside resort. The pacing is leisurely with laughs coming after scenes of quiet beauty, and slice of life moments that seem to lead nowhere. Its like a week at the beach and moves at its own pace.
Despite what some may consider flaws THE FILM WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH. Which is all that matters. And even if you're someone like me who likes, but doesn't really love the film, you'll find yourself wanting to see this again simply to see what you missed and to marvel at the artistry (How did they do the floating paint can?)
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It's a strange thing whenever I watch a film in French, made by the French, or taking place somewhere in France. I'm always hooked; I'm always there staring at the screen in fascination. I admire the language, the culture of the country, and whatever-else I can possibly just "do". I don't suppose that this film does anything to truly give me more insight; but it does do what it does very, very well, and that is why it is a great movie. However, this isn't even the core of the film. The story is basically Mr. Hulot and his adventures; and that's about it. But his adventures are more like disasters, as Hulot himself can be described as a "human tornado". I'm not sure you've heard of the term, but I have, and it definitely applies to the character. This is a funny funny film. Whether you see it in English or French makes no difference since the entire story is told visually, so much so that the dialog, what little there is, is not needed. So the film involves its titular character, Monsieur "Mr." Hulot, as he treats himself to a beach vacation. He stays at a beautiful resort and yes, he does indeed enjoy his stay.
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