Les Vacances de M. Hulot (UK: Monsieur Hulot's Holiday) - Dir. Jacques Tati, 1953.

Jacques Tati’s seminal second feature film may seem outdated and clichéd as we move into the second decade of the twenty-first century, however this forerunner of modern day slapstick, and successor of pre-war silent comedies still provides us with a great deal of entertainment and both political and social subtexts deeper than its farcical scenes suggest.

The plot centres on the bumbling but well-meaning Monsieur Hulot, played by Tati himself, and his mandatory August holiday at an un-named beach location. While scenes of confused waiters, snapped canoes and terrible table manners may seem commonplace when viewed within the context of highly successful British television farces such as Fawlty Towers and Mr. Bean, it must not be forgotten that Les Vacances de M. Hulot came out in 1953, and was therefore groundbreaking in its treatment of slapstick; its jazz soundtrack for instance will definitely be recognised as having been used in a great number of comedies since.

Tati is spot on with his portrayals of the various class stereotypes who all descend on the same seaside resort in the middle of summer. There is the young leftist (immaculately made up to look like Leon Trotsky, it must be said) incessantly spouting political jargon to a disinterested love interest, the Englishwoman who comes to have a soft spot for Hulot due to his (somewhat peculiar) adeptness at tennis, and the war veteran living in the past. While not malicious in the slightest, none of these characters are particularly likeable, and this draws the viewer towards Tati’s character; who is a bit slow, but forever well-intentioned.

Les Vacances de M. Hulot is no longer the laugh out loud comedy it probably was on its appearance on cinema screens nearly sixty years ago, but the character portrayals and simple humour make this a timeless classic that will be enjoyed for many years to come.