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Format: VHS
Aug 1994
Not Rated
Recording Mode: (unknown)
89 min. |
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Details
Movie Description
Jacques Tati's beleaguered and oblivious alter ego Mr. Hulot returns for his fourth screen appearance in this ridiculous and sublime automobile-focused film. Cars and drivers, present as subplots in Tati's previous comedies, take center stage in TRAFFIC. In his latest incarnation, Hulot is a vehicle designer at the Parisian firm Altra. Having recently completed the prototype for a Rube Goldberg mousetraplike ultraconvenient camper van, Hulot and Altra's pesky public relations girl, Maria (Maria Kimberly), embark to bring their newest creation to an auto show in Holland. The eagle eye of Tati's airtight humor follows Hulot on his doomed path to Amsterdam; he runs out of gas, has various accidents and engine difficulties, and invokes the wrath of both the police and customs officers. Interspersed between gags are seemingly documentary visions of French motorists picking their noses, being mimicked by their own windshield wipers, and generally causing trouble. Minimal dialogue, spectacular visual puns, and an awe-inspiring balletlike car crash complete the Tati take on car-and-driver culture.
Synopsis
The fourth installment in the Mr. Hulot saga, features the silent comedian en route to an automobile trade show in Amsterdam. Hulot has invented an awkward looking, one-cylinder camper/truck that he is putting on display there. Along the way Hulot and his fellow travelers encounter a myriad of difficulties that lead to a series of precious comedic episodes. And once again, in his quiet understated style, Hulot tries to keep the situation under control.
Film Notes
The print used for the Home Vision Cinema VHS version is from the Janus collection.
Industry Reviews
"At times, in its depiction of a chaotic road trip, the film feels akin to Jean-Luc Godard's WEEKEND."
Sight and Sound - Geoffrey Macnab (11/01/2008)
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