Following in the tradition of "Monsieur Hulot's Holiday", "Le Grand Amour" uses as little dialogue as possible. However, there is more dialogue in "Le Grand Amour" and the viewer feels more involved, whereas in "Monsieur Hulot's Holiday", the viewer feels more like a voyeur, just watching the happenings that occur around him.
"Le Grand Amour" also has a theme; it is not just a slice of life. The protagonist, Pierre (Pierre Etaix, who also wrote and directed the film), lives his life rather passively. He is affected and influenced by the opinions of others, by gossip, and by the institutions and social forms that exist. Even when he seeks to assert himself, it still feels like he is just shrugging off one convention for another.
The style of the film is much like the silent film comedies of earlier years. But it seamlessly strays into flights of fancy, like the scenes where he fantasizes about his secretary and those involving dreams (a la Woody Allen).
The film is very creative in its use of sound effects. Notice, for example, the background sounds when certain characters are on screen.
The film is also filled with vignettes and ancillary comic touches that add to its charm, like the waiter whose curiosity about the restaurant patrons affects his performance and who, at one point, actually interacts with a memory recounted by Pierre in voice over.
The film has a charming, light-hearted view of life and marriage, with a self-deprecating sense of humor.
