Trafic [DVD]

I’ve been watching Tati in reverse order to get away from Covid and it worked. I felt warm and human again and tickled by the funny side of life. I’m not sure I’d ever seen Trafic before. It’s a bit of an oh dear film. It’s long and not very funny and your Rottweiller will wonder why you’re watching it. Only watch it if you’re a real fan.

I remembered this film from my youth as dreadfully funny and am glad to have been able to see it again. Perhaps I have changed and didn't find it quite as funny as then, because I frequently got impatient with the protagonists. Jacques Tati's character Monsieur Hulot is a blast in all the hilarious situations he gets himself and others round him into in all his films. This time, they are trying to get a new camping van to an exhibition in Holland. Everything imaginable goes wrong on that journey. This German version seemed the most economically-priced to me and I understand German perfectly, but there isn't very much dialogue in it; it's mainly well-to-understand antics, so even if you don't understand in French or German, I think it is possible to enjoy it, and it does have subtitles as well.

This is Hulot's last appearance and his role has changed from instigator of chaos to observer. Most of what happens is not his fault, he's a victim of circumstance and other people's mistakes. Like Tati's earlier Playtime, this film is really about the way we behave and how we interact with the modern world we've created. Specifically cars and traffic in this case, and there are lots of wry comments on the madness of it all.There is a story to keep up the interest, we want to know whether Hulot and his partners will every make it to the motor show, and the characters themselves evolve as a result of their journey. It's often funny but in that understated Tati way, nothing hits you in the face, you need to just relax into its gentle pace and watch for the jokes, which are often subtle. The restoration is very good with slightly muted colours in tune with the 1970s setting.

The last Jacques Tati film (if you discount the made for television Parade). Originally intended for television release it did receive general cinema release and it is the last film in which Tati plays his famous M Hulot character. I had several other Jaques Tati films and it was difficult to get hold of a version of this and as you can see it is a region 1 import (though it might exist as a region 2 version now). Whilst maybe not his best film it is thoroughly enjoyable and Tati's genius is still evident. A must have for Tati fan's and very enjoyable viewing even for those who have never heard of him.

Not his best film but it contains some gems such as the traffic accident and the van innovations. Falls apart towards the end.

An interesting film Some good humorous moments. Not in the same league as playtime. As a study in human observation it works well

Rated it 5 stars as I had seen it before. Also almost everything Jacques Tati did was absolutely brilliant. I would recommend it to anyone who likes French humour. No need to learn French as, in common with most Tati films, there is no important dialogue - the humour is mainly visual. This was the last full length film he made.

Good price and quick dispatch/delivery