MovieChat Forums > Jacques Tati Discussion > What is his 4 best films?

What is his 4 best films?

posted 2 years ago by Interlepos (1807)
9 replies | jump to latest

Just saw Playtime for the first time. And the first hour especially enchanted me.

What do you consider to be his 4 best films?

[–] greenbudgie (2355) 2 years ago

1. Mon Oncle
2. Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot
3. Playtime
4. Traffic

The first hour of Playtime is good and I usually choose to watch that part only. I really like the music in Les Vacances. The film has a lovely warm nostalgic feel. But I reckon Tati achieved his best Hulot characterization in Mon Oncle.

[–] Interlepos (1807) 2 years ago

Great reply. Yes, the music is lovely, and so is all the other elements. Interesting that you also prefer the first half of Playtime.

[–] Ed (525) 2 years ago

I’ve seen 3.
1) Mr. hulot’s Holiday - conventional comic skits at the beach. His most relatable film.
2) Playtime - a bit cold / sterile, but fascinating to pick out all the details. Any given sequence can have 2-3 subplots going on simultaneously, and characters overlap / recur a lot. Gotta pay attention when watching this.
3) Mon Oncle - I liked the dogs, Hulot’s quirky house, and the street scenes. The factory and modern house scenes fell kinda flat with the humor, so the film feels dated.

[–] Interlepos (1807) 2 years ago

Very interesting. I just started my Jacques Tati journey, and can't wait to watch the rest.

[–] huwdj (4566) 2 years ago

I don't know - did he actually make enough films to pick 4 best?
But I do remember enjoying some of his films when they turned up on TV in the (distant) past - I should probably look them up again.

[–] greenbudgie (2355) 2 years ago

I was thinking the same as you. I believe he only made 5 feature films and a TV Movie and 5 short films. So I just picked the 4 Hulot features for my selection.

[–] Interlepos (1807) 2 years ago

I chose 4 because I had a feeling that people would pick his 3 most famous films, and I was curious what the fourth might be. Jour de fête or Trafic?

Or perhaps The illusionist (2010)? An animated movie, which is based on a screenplay by Tati and starring a character based on Tati himself. A beautifully animated film I often return to.

[–] greenbudgie (2355) 2 years ago

I look out for 'The Illusionist.' 115th Anniversay of Tati's birthday today.

[–] Interlepos (1807) 2 years ago

That should definitely be celebrated. I saw the film a few weeks ago. Not only is it a wonderful film, but you will develop a wish to travel to Edinburgh after having seen it.