Way too Late at the Movies: Mr. Hulot's Holiday

I've long been aware of Jacques Tati's Mr. Hulot character, and the "modern silent" films he made, but I'd never seen one start to finish.

Remedied that this weekend by watching "Les Vacances de M. Hulot," or "Mr. Hulot's Holiday," on YouTube.

I want to watch more full films. Had this been my only Tati experience, I might not have bothered with any more. It's slow, the visual jokes come and go, but many of them are subtle; but not near as subtle as some of the jokes based on sound, and the story - such as it is - felt a bit choppy.

Nevertheless, glad I watched it. It's primed me for more Tati.

I marve4l at visual comedy, particularly that done without computer-aided special effects. Everything in the film is done practically, and I'm sure through a lot of effort. Watching that paint pot drift in and out with the tide then come back makes the film worth watching.