Playtime - 2 Disc Set
"Jacques Tati's Playtime, like '2001: A Space Odyssey' or 'The Blair Witch Project' or 'Russian Ark,' is one of a kind, complete in itself, a species already extinct at the moment of its birth. Even Mr. Hulot, Tati's alter ego, seems to be wandering through it by accident. Instead of plot it has a cascade of incidents, instead of central characters it has a cast of hundreds, instead of being a comedy it is a wondrous act of observation. It occupies no genre and does not create a new one. It is a filmmaker showing us how his mind processes the world around him." "At the time of its making, 'Playtime' (1967) was the most expensive film in French history. Tati filmed it in 'Tativille,' an enormous set outside Paris that reproduced an airline terminal, city streets, high rise buildings, offices and a traffic circle. It was the direct inspiration for 'The Terminal,' for which Stephen Spielberg built a vast set of a full-scale airline terminal." "Although Spielberg said he wanted to give Tom Hanks the time and
space to develop elaborate situations like Tati serendipitously blundered
through, he provided Hanks with a plot, dialogue and supporting characters.
Tati made 'Playtime' without a story, with dialogue (mostly
in English) that is inaudible or disposable, and without a hero" "'Playtime' is a peculiar, mysterious, magical film. Perhaps
you should see it as a preparation for seeing it; the first time won't
quite work. The best way to see it is on 70mm, but that takes some
doing (although a print is currently in circulation in North America).
The Criterion DVD is crisp and detailed, and includes an introduction
by Terry Jones, who talks about how the commercial failure of the film
bankrupted Tati (1909-1982) and cost him the ownership of his home,
his business and all of his earlier films. Was Tati reckless to risk
everything on such a delicate, whimsical work? Reckless for you, reckless
for me, not reckless for a dreamer." ------ Roger Ebert.
Curator's Comments: Read Roger Ebert's essay on this DVD Classic. Director: Jacques Tati Country: France
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