Mr. Hulot’s Holiday

In Jacques Tati movie Les vacances de M. Hulot a group of city dwellers escape New York’s hustle bustle to enjoy a week at the calm shores of the beach. However to their surprise their vacation is far from relaxing. Mr. Hulot played by Jacques Tati is one of the vacationers who acts more like a child than adult. He clowns around causing problem at a time. The other vacationers are constantly annoyed and aggravated by Mr. Hulot and avoid him at all costs. The movie discusses themes such as vacationing, foolishness, and existence.

Jacques Tati developed one of the first comical movies. His film was not focused around plot but more on making his audience laugh. In doing so he incorporated music and sound effects with funny skits to increase the feeling of each comical scene. Tati returned to the first movie producers such as Lumiere, Melies, and Porter for inspiration. These directors existed when story telling was not a priority therefore Tati found a non-narrative way of seeing. (1)

Filming was not a major concern for Tati. Again, like his plot he focuses more on the audience’s reaction than actual story telling. He wanted the audience to make their own assumptions about each scene. In doing so, he was unprejudiced and held no prioritites. He favored long shots over short close up’s because he felt the whole image was more important than the finer details. For example in the opening scene at the train station, there are no close ups but instead one long shot of panicked people running around misled by the mumbling train announcer. “The viewer is led to explore the entire field of the shot, from near to far and from side to side, top to bottom. The viewer learns to direct his attentions for himself; Tati will not make the choice for him.” (1)

Several themes were developed throughout the film. From what was portrayed married couples were shown lacking interest and romance. They were pictured mundane and cold. They failed to interact with each other and often kept to themselves. However Mr. Hulot helped to soften the tension between the couples and help them appreciate the finer things in life. Foolishness was another reoccurring theme. Mr. Hulot's action was an example of stupidity. He took life lightly and set examples for others. The last and final theme was the difference between adult and children. Adults were picture snobby and arrogant as the children represented happiness and joy. The role between the two played in Mr. Hulot’s personality and charisma. Although he was an adult he acted like a child but through his actions people saw a different way to enjoy life and often questioned their own happiness. 

                                                Work Cited

1). Kehr, Dave. "Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot - Film (Movie) Plot and Review - Publications." Film Reference. Advameg, Inc, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2011. <http://www.filmreference.com/Films-Tw-Vi/Les-Vacances-de-Monsieur-Hulot.html>.

Les Bonnes Femmes was released in Paris in 1960. Although considered a box-office failure director Claude Chabrol believes it to be one of his best works. The public was left feeling distraught by the dark portrayal of Paris and by the frank views of men and women relationships. Not to mention the twisted ending left the audience feeling quite uneasy.

            The film begins by introducing four young foolish girls. All in which share the same desire for true love.  The ongoing drive in achieving this one desire is a prominent theme throughout the movie. Rita, the pretty blond, is in constant hope of seeking the approval of her boyfriend’s bourgeois upper class parents. Ginette, the confused beauty, is afraid to show her friends her true love of singing. Going from boy to boy, Jane the free spirit is forever looking for the next best thing to come by and sweep her off her feet. Lastly Jacqueline frail and quiet is the most vulnerable of them all. She falls for what she believes is a handsome mysterious motorcyclist only to find out he is psychopath stalker.

            Influenced by Hitchcock Chabrol throws a curve ball at his audience at the end of his film. Hitchcock was known for his absurd story lines and baffling endings and Chabrol followed a similar mentality. Chabrol portrayed Paris in a unique manner. What is ought to be a beautiful romantic city Chabrol conveyed it dark somber and mundane. In playing into this theme Chabrol shot mostly at night or on overcast days. He was known more for the content of his films then style. He often focused on psychological themes and thrillers and often characterizes his characters as victims of circumstances.  

            Throughout the film the girls’ aspirations are often viewed as a joke and often mocked. Primarily because they appear desperate and over dependent of men. Preoccupied by their own wants and needs they never bother to help one another.  

A bout de soufflé

            A bout de soufflé is one of Jean Luc Godard’s most critically acclaimed works. He was praised for his radical and innovative approach. The love story between a young punk and American student is far from normal.

Michel Poiccard, the young punk, is far from an angel. After stealing a car and shooting a cop he is in constant hiding for the fear of getting caught. Patricia Franchini his lover is hesitate to take him in. Although after a long night of persuasion the couple begin to see each other.

            The hunt for the “cop killer” comes to an end. The police are on to Michel and Patricia. Although Patricia was unaware of Michel’s criminal record it was too late to turn back.  She falls out of love and gives his location up. Not long does the police shoot him down in the street.

            Godard portrayed many themes in his movies. A bout de Soufflé captured a few. They included death, speed, and the “rage to live.” Death is evident throughout the film. The movie started with the murder of the policeman and ended with the death of Michel. Speed is seen in the various car scenes when Michel and many other men are pictured driving cars very fast. The theme is also linked to the fast-past lifestyle of Paris. Lastly the “rage to live” can be seen between the two lovebirds. They are young and foolish and portray the typical teenager lifestyle. 

400 Blows

400 Blows another film directed by François Truffaut took place in 1959. The film is said to be a biographical depiction of Truffaut’s childhood. When casting for the film, Truffaut immediately picked a thirteen-year-old boy by the name of Jean-Pierre Leaud. He being Jean-Pierre Leaud was the perfect representation of Truffaut as a kid. In the movie, Antoine Doinel (Jean-Pierre Leaud) is shown often misbehaving in school, at home, and with friends. The troublemaker is frequently in out of jail. Antoine is sent to a juvenile delinquent facility and later runs away. The movie ends with a scene of Antoine standing on the beach alone.

Truffaut included various themes in 400 Blows. They include the Freudian perspective and unhappiness among adolescences. The Freudian theme is evident between Antoine and his mother’s relationship. Some critics say an “Oedipal obsession” occurs and say Antoine’s poor actions are a result of the mother’s reluctance to discipline him.

400 Blows along with many other of his films set the stage for the French New Wave. Truffaut’s unique approach to the cinema world changed French movies forever. 

Jules et Jim

A movie directed by François Truffaut in 1962. The movie is about three friends; Jules played by Oscar Werner; Catherine played by Jeanne Moreau and Jim played by Henri Serre. Jules and Jim meet in 1912 in Paris and instantly become friends: although completely opposite they share similar likings. Jim a success with the ladies oftentimes helps his pal Jules out. However, Jules is not as successful. This all changes when he meets the beautiful and mysterious Catherine.

Afraid Jim might steal Catherine Jules makes it clear that he is in love with her. The three of them hang out and enjoy one another’s company at Catherine seashore home. Upon returning Jules asks Catherine to marry him. However Catherine cannot make up her mind. The next day she asks Jim to meet him at a café but she shows up late and misses Jim. The next day Jules and Catherine announce their engagement.

It is 1914 and War World 1 broke out; both Jim and Jules are forced to fight. Jules a German and Jim a Frenchman live in fear of killing one another.  After the war Jules continues his life with Catherine and their daughter Sabine in their chalet in Germany. However Jules admits to Jim their marriage is on the rocks. Catherine has had multiple affairs and threatens to leave Jules. Jules upset and distraught allows for his wife to marry Albert, her lover, as long as he can stay in contact with her. After a weekend spent together, Jules becomes quite aware of Jim and Catherine’s love for one another. Catherine and Jim begin to see each other and try for a baby. After many unsuccessful attempts Catherine sends Jim away. Jim returns home to his lover Gilberte and in turn starts a family with her. Catherine announces she is carrying his baby but later has a miscarriage.

The three of them meet for one last time in a Parisian cinema. Catherine offers the two a ride to a café. However she encourages Jim to stay in the car and for Jules to watch. She in turn drives onto an old bridge and plunges off into the water—killing both Jim and herself.  The movie ends with Jules attending both their funeral and cremations.

400 Blows

400 Blows another film directed by François Truffaut takes place in 1959. The film is said to be a biographical depiction of Truffaut’s own childhood. When casting for the film, Truffaut immediately picked a thirteen-year-old boy by the name of Antoine Doinel. He was the perfect representation of himself as a kid. In the movie, the kid is shown misbehaving at school, home, and with his friends. After a number of times of getting in trouble Antoine is sent to a juvenile delinquent facility and later runs away. The movie closes with a shot of Antoine alone standing on the beach. He has finally escaped from everyone and everything that has caused him pain in his past.

La règle du jeu

A movie produced in 1939 by director Jean Renoir tells a story of a famous aviator Andre Jurieux and his lover Christine, the wife of aristocrat Robert de la Cheyniest. When a series of love affairs are uncovered chaos breaks out. Renoir reveals to his audience what boundaries people will cross for love. Upsetting yet exciting the movie ends in a tragedy proving the point that love isn’t something to take for granite.