Mon oncle (1958)

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Director:

Jacques Tati

Writers:

Jean L'Hôte (writer)
Jacques Lagrange (writer)

Release Date:

3 November 1958 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Mr. Hulot Ventures Into Suburbia...And Disrupts...Disassembles...And Demolishes With His Very Subtle Satire

Plot:

Monsieur Hulot visits the technology-driven world of his sister, brother-in-law, and nephew, but he can't quite fit into the surroundings.

Plot Keywords:

Factory | Uncle | New Automobile | Horse Cart | Comedy Of Manners

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 5 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Jacques Tati	...	Monsieur Hulot
Jean-Pierre Zola	...	Charles Arpel
Adrienne Servantie	...	Madame Arpel
Lucien Frégis	...	Monsieur Pichard (as Lucien Fregis)
Betty Schneider	...	Betty, Landlord's Daughter
Jean-François Martial	...	Walter (as J.F. Martial)
Dominique Marie	...	Neighbor
Yvonne Arnaud	...	Georgette, the Housekeeper
Adelaide Danieli	...	Madame Pichard
Alain Bécourt	...	Gerard Arpel (as Alain Becourt)
Régis Fontenay	...	Braces Dealer (as Regis Fontenay)
Claude Badolle	...	Flea Market Dealer
Max Martel	...	Drunken Man
Nicolas Bataille	...	Working Man

Also Known As:

Mio zio (Italy)
My Uncle
My Uncle, Mr. Hulot

Runtime:

117 min | Spain:120 min

Country:

Italy | France

Language:

French

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:G | Finland:S | Spain:T | Sweden:Btl | UK:U | West Germany:6 | Singapore:PG | Portugal:M/6

Filming Locations:

Créteil, Val-de-Marne, France

Company:

Alter Films

Goofs:

Continuity: When Hulot holds the wire drink holder at the dinner garden party, it is at first closes to his left knee, but in next cut, closer to right.

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Zomergasten: (#10.3)" (1997)

There's so much more to this movie that I never noticed

When you see Mon Oncle for the first time, you'll be charmed, catch some of the bigger jokes, maybe catch the film's major theme, and you'll walk away with a pleasant experience. Given its masterpiece status, you may very well be wondering what makes that so (confer my posts further down the page for my initial and secondary reactions). On the second viewing, you will probably notice some of the smaller jokes, discern major motifs, and ultimately see it as a better film. The THIRD time, you may notice just how meticulously this film was crafted. In wonderment, you will gaze at the screen, your eyes glancing every which way trying to find the tiniest of jokes. And there are some jokes that are tiny, believe me.

The first time I saw this film, I gave it an 8/10, the second time a 9/10, and the third time a 10/10. I actually wept when Hulot said goodbye to his neighbors. Boy, I cannot wait to watch it a fourth time, and a fifth. I hope Playtime and M. Hulot's Holiday are as good as this utter cinematic masterpiece.