Directed by:
Jacques TatiScreenplay:
René WheelerCinematography:
Jacques MercantonComposer:
Jean YatoveCast:
Jacques Tati, Guy Decomble, Paul Frankeur, Santa Relli, Jacques Cottin, Jacques Beauvais, Robert Balpo, Roger RafalVOD (2)
Plots(1)
François is a postal delivery man in a small French country town. He is often the center of attention in the town, which is not always a good thing. He tries to be helpful but most in town mock him behind his back. At the Bastille Day festivities in the town, he and the rest of the townsfolk view a movie on the efficiencies of the U.S. Postal Service, the service which has at their disposal airplanes and helicopters to deliver the mail. François is dismayed at how backward he sees the French Postal Service, he only having a bicycle as transport for his postal route. It is even a major process for his company to get him a replacement bicycle tire. François is obsessed with speeding up the delivery of at least the service on his route - doing it as well or even better than the Americans - with only his bicycle, his ingenuity and advice from the townsfolk to do so. His only goal is speed, this goal at any cost. As he implements his ideas, the townsfolk remark on how François is doing it "the American way". (official distributor synopsis)
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Reviews (2)
Jacques Tati essentially made a slapstick film, but at the same time, it's unique, and his humor is so gentle and human, even though there are some mischievous moments, it's still presented in such a kind way that American slapstick films never quite achieved. This is where Jacques Tati is both entertaining and a master of human observation.
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A whimsy summer with Vlasta Burian? Yeah, something like that. At its core, it's a mute grotesque with sound, even if the few dialogues only play an episodic role. The main aspects are the brilliant situational gags, as well as the wonderfully dusty atmosphere of the ponderous French countryside, which are meant for readers of Chevallier's Zvonokosy. Stylish music also plays an important role... Somehow, the message of a peaceful life, where the crackling of the American journal is not at all appropriate, is followed with a certain "bitter-sweetness". An old film for the soul. But as beautifully old as that hunched old lady with the goat that accompanies us in it.
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