Mon Oncle (1958)

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

Director:

Jacques Tati

Writers:

Jacques Lagrange (artistic collaboration), Jean L'Hôte (artistic collaboration) (as Jean L'Hote)

Stars:

Jacques Tati, Jean-Pierre Zola, Adrienne Servantie

Won 1 Oscar. Another 6 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
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

Storyline

Monsieur Hulot's brother-in-law is the manager of a factory where plastics are manufactured. His nephew grows up in a house where everything is fully automated and the boy is raised in a similar fashion. To take away the influence of the uncle on his son, his brother-in-law gets Hulot a job in his factory.

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Plot Keywords:

push button | ultra modern house | advanced technology | monsieur hulot | nephew | 

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Taglines:

Mr Hulot takes a precious, playful...and purely premeditated look at modern times...

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

3 November 1958 (USA)

Also Known As:

Mon Oncle

Filming Locations:

Créteil, Val-de-Marne, France

Box Office

Budget:

FRF250,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$36,991

Company Credits

Production Co:

Specta Films, Gray-Film, Alter Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film is included on Roger Ebert's "Great Movies" list.

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Goofs

When the boys are playing their traffic prank, one of their victims steps out of a 1955 Pontiac Chieftain. In the next cut, as he goes to argue with the woman he thinks has rear-ended him, the Pontiac is replaced by the 1951 Oldsmobile 88 driven by Charles Arpel near the start of the film (and which he is still driving at this point). Even the license plate (523 AP 75) is the same.

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Quotes

Charles Arpel: We could go to the Sexy Club.
Madame Arpel: I prefer Constantino and his nice music.

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Crazy Credits

The opening credits appear on signs at a construction site.

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Alternate Versions

An English version of the movie, that is some 10 minutes shorter with less dialogue, was shot side-by-side with the French version.

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Connections

Featured in Zomergasten: Episode #10.3 (1997)

User Reviews

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.