PlayTime

Sometimes when you watch a movie you know that it's going to be a 5/5 even before the credits roll. Playtime was one of those films for me. It took a while for me to get adjusted to the film's unconventional storytelling, but once I did I absolutely loved it. This is my first Jacques Tati film. I had no clue that it's essentially the third in a trilogy featuring the character Mr. Hulot who is played by Tati himself. As much as I liked it, I feel as if I would have enjoyed Playtime even more had I seen the two subsequent films. Nevertheless, I can't give this anything other than 5 stars. What makes it so good is Tati's ability to pull you in with an entertaining story while lacking a cohesive plot or central protagonist. I can't think of many films that have achieved a similar level of success under the same circumstances. Sure, the budget is large for the time, but that can only get you so far. Most of the credit is due to Tati's creativity and the flexibility of the writers. This film is a satire of the working life and it's really silly and goofy, but a lot of it is accurate and eye opening. It accomplishes it's goal of getting some laughs out of you while planting the feeling that we are truly like this in our day to day lives. There are definitely some bits and pieces from the silent era sprinkled throughout this film, especially in the characters and the comedic delivery. Hulot is clearly a nod to Charlie Chaplin and the futuristic (for the time) setting was obviously inspired by Fritz Lang's Metropolis. Tati is by no means a plagiarist and made this film his own. Despite the similarities it's nothing if unique. Not all of the comedy "lands", but it's also not in your face. It's practically demanding to be rewatched since there's so much going on in the background. However, that also gives you a chance to absorb the beautiful cinematography, masterful set design, and the fine, little details. This was an absolute joy from beginning to end and now that I have a better understanding of Jacques Tati, I can't wait to watch more of his films. List: 2025 Goals & Favorite Films Last Review: Dog Soldiers