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.