M. Hulot's Holiday - Criterion Collection (1954)

A French Charlie Chaplin

Very clever and entertaining unusually funny comedy. Few actual conversations, but mostly visual effects that have you laughing out loud. The producer exaggerates sounds by repeating them, such as a squeaking screen door, throughout the movie, causing laughter each time it's heard. A comedy that will entertain you from beginning to end. The main character is a combination of Charlie Chaplin and Peter Sellers, in his bumbling actions. December 20, 2008

M. Hulot's Holiday

A delightful movie from a gentler time. I first saw this in a 16 mm. cinematic format at a friend's house and when it was announced recently that it would be available as a DVD I ordered it. Jacques Tati has no dialog but conveys a wealth of expression and develops very humorous situations via body language. November 16, 2008

Timeless French classic - very funny, absolutely enjoyable

Not much dialogue, but you don't need it. Just enjoy the idiosyncrasies of human nature and laugh. Absolutely charming. September 24, 2008

Not so great

Tastes in comedy must have really changed in the last 50 years. I found most of the humor in this to be very strained. How did this film ever win at Cannes? Must not have been anything better that year.

There are simply too many fabricated events: people almost getting hit by cars, spilling things, bumping into each other, etc. People getting scared by the "shark" was just silly. How could anyone think that looked like a shark?

There were a few convincing slapstick moments that made me laugh. What I liked most about the film, though, is that it brought me back to a time when people HAD to interact with others more than they do today. And it was something special to go on a picnic, or ride a horse, or go to the beach.
June 29, 2008

An aquired taste

Having never seen a Tati film in my 40 something years, I was probably expecting too much from this 1950's French comedy. It certainly has its merits. There are some lovely visual gags, which are very clever and funny as well, together with a set of characters who develop with the film.

I found that at 83mins it dragged a bit and whilst the jazzy music theme was great the first time I heard it, after the theme had been repeated about a dozen times it began to get on my nerves. Tati himself was undoubtably a talented visual comedian, and if he had been working 30 years earlier, before the introduction of sound would probably have been a bigger star. If I had seen this film when I was very young I'm sure that it would have made a lasting impression on me (like Laurel & Hardy) and I would have rated it much higher.

As it is, I probably need to see it again to fully appreciate it. Then it may get four stars.
May 20, 2008

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