Way too Late at the Movies: Mon Oncle

I'm still on a Jacques Tati kick, this time with "Mon Oncle," a film in which M. Hulot develops his oddities a bit more.

The film is a satire of post-war modernism in France. Maybe making a larger statement about modernism as a whole, but it's certainly entertaining.

Again I emphasize while it's nice if you understand French to watch this film, once again you don't necessarily have to know the language to get the message.

And that message: Pretty much everyone living in the "old" Paris, representing the country as a whole, I assume, is happy. They get along. They enjoy each others' company. And though their houses and apartments are more modest, they appear comfortable.

Those living in modern Paris enjoy their modern conveniences but are often bedeviled by them. They gather because it's what one does socially, but they don't really seem to enjoy it.

And oh my gosh does that lady love to scrub things.

There's a little hope at the end, when Dad engages in a practical joke with his son as they watch M. Hulot depart for "les provinces" because Dad really can't stand to have him around anymore, but I won't say more than that so it's not spoiled.

The aesthetic of the film comes through pretty clear in the opening scenes.

And wow, that modern garden. Looks lovely. Is completely impractical every time they try to use it.

The dachshund in the sweater belongs to the modern couple, and also finds his freedom.

Thing is, when I lived in various cities in France in the 1990sl the modern v. old aesthetic was still being fought.