43 | ‘PLAYTIME’, VISUAL COMEDY, AND OLD MAN TATI

Frames and Fools: Film, Filmmakers, and Foolishness

It’s ‘Playtime’ (1967). We went classic this week with the intriguing and influential Jacques Tati. He was a master of physical comedy, starting off as a mime on the European vaudeville circuit before moving into film, where his instincts served him well. Famously not a fan of closeups, Tati worked in wide—letting the legs and body do the work instead of the eyes. His Monsieur Hulot character (a predecessor to Mr. Bean and Monty Python) was a man watching the progress of modern society, present to observe the absurdities of humanity no matter the setting. ‘Playtime’ is widely regarded as Tati’s opus and is certainly his most ambitious film, with massive sets and a huge cast, all individually choreographed for maximum gags in the final half. It’s not always laugh-out-loud funny, but there are layers of intention and wit in every frame. Have fun realizing how many filmmakers and comedians Tati has inspired over the years as you watch this unusual story unfold in a Paris that never was.

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