M. Hulot's Holiday - Criterion Collection

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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

Description

Pipe-smoking Monsieur Hulot, Jacques Tati's endearing clown, takes a holiday at a seaside resort where his presence provokes one catastrophe after another. Tati's wildly funny satire of vacationers determined to enjoy themselves includes a series of precisely choreographed sight gags involving dogs, boats and firecrackers. The first entry in the Hulot series is a masterpiece of gentle slapstick.

Customer Reviews:

BRAVO Mon. Hulot.......2007-08-23

This is one of the funniest and riduculous movies I have ener seen. What I like about it is that there isn't any vicious violence,nor is there any blantant sex. It's just the life of a total, but lovable lunatic.
I would recommend this and MON ONCLE.

The absurdity of the banal.......2007-07-24

This comedy marks the debut of Jacques Tati in his most famous role as Monsieur Hulot, and what an entry it is for a character! We are not introduced to him in any formal way and yet after a few minutes we seem to recognize him -- the clumsy outsider who, despite his best efforts, never really fits in -- because we have probably all met somebody like him.

What may be most strange to modern audiences might be the mode of vacation in itself -- this film harkens from a time when being on holiday was as much a social occasion as a time to relax. Compare this to the modern idea of vacations as an endless thrill ride that leaves people more exhausted than they were in the first place.

In "Hulot", the main things to do are eating (with comical punctuality), walking around the seaside, and lying on the beach. Into this quiet stumbles Hulot and has, with his antics, by the end upset it somewhat. His punishment? Being shunned by most of the adults in the end who prefer to pretend that things they cannot assimilate (like Hulot) do not exist. Only the kids and the elderly man -- who is always walking a few paces behind his wife and is therefore free to witness Hulot's doings and be amused by them, as we are -- seem to understand.

The Criterion transfer isn't bad, but they are trying too hard to give the film (like all their black-and-white titles) a very contrasty look, with deep blacks that sometimes look a bit jarring. That approach may work for a film noir or something that was lit with a high contrast to begin with, but for this summer fare, I feel a lower-contrast look would have been more appropriate.

I guess those deep glossy-magazine blacks are something people associate with "quality" and "brilliance" in DVD transfers, so apparently one cannot do without them. But I bet this was not how the film looked like in the theater.

So what does the film say, basically? Maybe that you will have the best time (not just on vacation but generally) if you are able to adjust to society and its boring rituals to some degree but also, from time to time, let a little Hulot-like zaniness into your life and recognize the absurdity of it all. And that seems to be pretty good advice to me.

A Perfect Film.......2007-07-09

After watching "M. Hulot's Holiday" it becomes clear that it's unfair to mention the names of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton without mentioning Jacques Tati, the star, co-writer, and director of "M. Hulot's Holiday." While the majority of Chaplin and Keaton's work was created in the silent era and "M. Hulot's Holiday" was released 26 years into the sound era; it largely remains a silent comedy. A beautiful, gentle film that is slapstick at its very best. While there is sound on the soundtrack and many characters speak, Monsieur Hulot does not. He's a simple man that only mumbles and manages to unknowingly wreak havoc on the various visitors during a holiday at a resort. He's not retarded though, although it sure seems like it at times. He's very polite and bows whenever he sees a woman. The movie is, obviously, low on plot and is merely 86 minutes of circumstances for Hulot to do something stupid. Unlike Keaton and Chaplin however, Tati also gives the guests of the resort some notice too. In fact, many of the guests provide more laughs than Tati. There are some great scenes in this film. When Hulot is in his boat and it suddenly snaps in half, with the fabric inside tearing to give it the appearance of a shark. There's the scene where Hulot arrives in the goofiest looking car you will ever see and interrupts a dog that is trying to sleep in the road. One of the things that makes the film work so well is the score. It's an upbeat jazz number that plays through almost the whole movie and works so well for it. It's music that even feels happy, music that kind of personifies the way someone would feel if they were on vacation. "M. Hulot's Holiday" is not a hilarious film, fall down funny in it's humor. But it's not supposed to be either. This is not a flaw, though. If this were merely a film with hilarious jokes, you could only watch it a few times until the jokes weren't funny anymore and you grew sick of it. Since "M. Hulot's Holiday" is a comedy based on its charm and it's nostalgic feel, it is a film that one can watch over and over again. A true masterpiece.

GRADE: A

Jacques Tati at his absolute best.......2007-05-12

This is the funniest film I know. It is sly, witty, wistful, gentle and almost entirely free from dialogue! And it is as good-natured as a 1950s summer holiday at the sea side in France could be. The characters are caricatures, indeed they are, but the situations and the brilliant comic timing of that genius, Jacques Tati, take this film far far beyond heavy-handed slapstick farce. My father's judgement was that having characters shout and shriek at each other, do crass double takes and fall down does not amount to comedy (test this criterion against almost any modern American "humor"). In M.Hulot's Holiday, the characters do all their acting with the subtle or not-so-subtle expressions of their faces, a raised eyebrow, a Gallic shrug.
Are people often funny? Yes. You only have to observe them, best of all when they are trying to relax at the beach, to see that. Well-observed children, waiters, tycoons, old couples, youths...all stumble around the incomparable Jacques Tati. And, if you ever needed convincing that black-and-white photography is best for portraiture, this film will do that. Are there films which really are "must see". Yes. This one.

great film! I am so glad that they released this on DVD. .......2007-05-07

Mr. HULOT'S HOLIDAY is a great addition to the Criterion Collection film family. I honestly don't know why they waited so long! Jacques Tati (as the title character) was a marvelous physical comedian, from France, and this film showcases him at his loopy best. As a note, there is much more to Hulot's clumsiness than meets the eye. Under that bumbling lies the heart of a romantic and a rather suave gentleman. The gist of this film basically centers on Hulot's holiday, at sea, complete with catchy, low-key incidental music (I doubt you will get the song out of your head), plenty of misunderstandings and mishaps that really don't need translation. That's perfect because the dialogue in this film is minimal. Basically, it feels like the director just stepped back and let Mr. Hulot take over on the film. It's very entertaining. They should show this film more often. In fact, I propose that there be a Jacquest Tati revival. Lord knows we need something to laugh about, during these turbulent times in the world.

Average customer rating:

Great Movie!
It's Just A Fun Flick To Watch
LEONARD MALTIN GOT THIS ONE WRONG!!!
Last of a Long Gone Era
An okay action movie

White Water Summer
Starring: Kevin Bacon , Sean Astin , Jonathan Ward , K.C. Martel , and Matt Adler
Director: Jeff Bleckner
Manufacturer: Sony Pictures
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005QVZ2
Release Date: 2001-12-04

Customer Reviews:

Great Movie!.......2007-05-07

I just love this movie because of the simple fact that you can watch it over and over and never get tired of it! It's really one of the classic 80's movies.......maybe not the most popular, but who really cares? If you want to watch a movie filled with plot, adventure, scenery and everything else in between, then purchase the DVD!

It's Just A Fun Flick To Watch.......2006-07-30

"White Water Summer" cannot be accused of being a great film. It's got its silly moments, unbelievable moments, and downright psychotic moments. My wife first introduced me to this film a few years ago and ever since that time, I've never been able to pass it up when it's on the satellite. It's just fun to watch and reminds me of a cool time in my life (that being the 80's).

It stars a young Kevin Bacon and an even younger Sean Astin. Both are excellent in their roles. Bacon must have been studying up for his future psychotic role in "The River Wild" with this film. He plays Vic, a not-all-there, hopefully well-meaning but very unlikeable camp guide who takes Astin and three other city kids into the wild in order to teach them about themselves. The supporting cast is headed up by Matt Adler ("Teen Wolf," among other 80's classics), K.C. Martel (best known as one of Kirk Cameron's buds on "Growing Pains," and Jonathan Ward ("Steel Magnolias" and "Charles In Charge"). Although all three of these guys are recognizable, they've almost always played supporting characters.

The story, as stated previously, is about Vic taking four city boys on an adventure in the wilderness. Astin narrates this tale about becoming a man over the summer. Bacon's character is hard to place. At first, he comes across as a "tough love" advocate, but then he becomes a wee bit crazy. Almost immediately the other boys separate themselves from Astin, with Ward sometimes sticking up for him. In the end, however, all of them have to come together in order to save Bacon's life.

The film has a great 80's soundtrack featuring Journey, Cutting Crew, and other rockers from the decade of excess.

Overall, not the greatest film around, but it does fit the bill as a nostalgic tale sure to bring back wonderful memories. Parents should be warned that there is a lot of bad language in this flick. Astin even drops an "F" bomb, so be sure to monitor any kids with you. I'm sure this film would have gotten a PG-13 rating had it come out just a few years later.

Recommended to fans of old 80's flicks who still remember watching some of these films when they were young.

LEONARD MALTIN GOT THIS ONE WRONG!!!.......2004-11-27

I FIRST WATCHED THIS MOVIE WHEN IT WAS ORIGINALLY RELEASED BACK IN MY HEYDEY AND I RECENTLY PICKED UP A COPY FOR FIVE BUCKS. WORTH EVERY LAST PENNY. A VERY ENJOYABLE, INTENSE, ACTION AND DRAMA ROLLED INTO ONE! HAS TERRIFIC SCENERY (MANY OF THE OUTDOOR SCENES FILMED IN SPECTACULAR NEW ZEALAND), GOOD ACTING, A GREAT INTENSE STORY. I WAS NEVER BORED AND I REALLY LIKED THE SEAN AUSTIN CHARACTER. KEVIN BACON EXCELLENT TOO AS A NAZI-LIKE CAMP LEADER!!! MORE A CHARACTER STUDY THAN ANYTHING, WITH NICE CAMERA-WORK AND A CHOICE '80'S SOUNDTRACK. IF YOU LIKED STAND BY ME, YOU SHOULD LOVE THIS, WHAT A PITY MOST OF THE CRITICS MISSED THE BOAT AND MISSED THE POINT!!!

Last of a Long Gone Era.......2004-06-30

If you liked Goonies, and are yearning for more 80's style adventure, you'll probably like this film. I like Sean Astin, and in general, I'm a fan of 80's style adventure movies. They weren't serious, pretentious things, like "Bourne Identity" or "Patriot Games". This movie isn't sensationalistic. If you love the outdoors, and liked camping and having adventures when you were a kid, this movie may remind you of your youth. The scenery is great and the music fits well and is actually mixed well as far as levels. Overall it's got pretty good production values. I probably wouldn't turn the lights down, crank up the THX and watch this film. It's more the type of film you watch over and over while doing something else, or while falling asleep. Which isn't to say it's boring, it's more like a comfortable old T-shirt you can wear again and again. It makes me want to go camping, swing from ropes, and play with pocket knives.

An okay action movie.......2003-11-16

I rented this movie a couple of weeks ago because I remember seeing the ending of this movie on TV so I wanted to see the whole thing. The movie was actually pretty good.

The movie is about a boy named Alan(Sean Astin) who goes camping with Vic(Kevin Bacon) and 3 other boys and Vic is taking these boys out here to teach them the ways of the wilderness. Things start out pretty well but Vic then starts to push the boys too hard, especially Alan. Vic is trying to teach the boys the best he can but his ways of doing it are a bit rough on the kids. Should the kids stay and be tought by Vic, or should they try to go home? him.

I gave the movie 3 stars because some parts of the story were unclear or they weren't very good. But the good points of the movie were the scenery, the music and the action. If you are in to action movies then watch this one!!

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