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Trafic (Jacques Tati 1971)

Criterion / Year: 1971

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Synopsis

In Jacques Tati's Trafic, the bumbling Monsieur Hulot, outfitted as always with tan raincoat, beaten brown hat, and umbrella, takes to Paris's highways and byways. For this, his final outing, Hulot is employed as an auto company's director of design, and accompanies his new vehicle (a camper tricked out with absurd gadgetry) to an auto show in Amsterdam. Naturally, the road is paved with modern-age mishaps. This late-career delight is a masterful demonstration of the comic genius' expert timing and sidesplitting visual gags, and a bemused last look at technology run amok.

3 Reasons To buy this film

Mostly silent, so it can be enjoyed even by the very young
Documentaries and interviews take you behind the scenes of the genius at work
Those old French cars are awesome!

Review

Tati stars as Monsieur Hulot, that charming and naïve fool, in this hilariously chaotic comedy. Armed with youthful enthusiasm, M. Hulot attempts to transport a car from France to Holland for an auto show, and the results are side-splitting. A satire on modern living, Traffic takes great pleasure in dissecting the absurdity of a situation where neurosis reigns behind the wheel. There is very little dialogue, and even though there are no subtitles, those who do not understand word one of French will be able to follow with ease this visually funny film.