Playtime (1967)

 Jacques Tati's "Playtime"

Jacques Tati's 1967 satirical comedy "Playtime" is nothing short of perfection in every way. Its immaculate sets, array of comedic situations, and its commentary of modern consumer culture all blend into an impressive cocktail of pure cinematic euphoria. While it may seem a bit hyperbolic to laud such high praise on Tati's film, I would argue on the contrary opinion that it is, in fact, a masterpiece.

Essentially, there is no plot in "Playtime." The only piece of narrative is the presence of the famed film character, Monsieur Hulot, Tati's stand-in, along with an unnamed America tourist. The film revolves around these two characters and their various happenstances as they explore the city of Paris. Along their journey and interactions, it becomes clear that this ultramodern "utopia" is nothing short of soulless, mechanical, sterile, and homogenous. 

What "Playtime" does so effectively is critique the new modernity of consumer culture that was overtaking France in the 1960s. Tati was personally affected by the changing landscape, as he witnessed the old French quarters morph into mid-century modern and brutalist cityscapes. Along with the buildings, society itself was forming around the Americanized consumer culture. "Playtime" is full of scenes in which useless 'modern' products are being peddled, along with empty services of fruitless experiences.

The character of Mr. Hulot, along with the American tourist, act as the stand-in for the audience, startling observing the strange dystopia that lies before them. As they stumble through this mechanical world of homogenized buildings, traffic, and workplaces, we laugh through the various visual bits Tati has to offer (of which there are plenty). If wouldn't be nearly enough to watch the film once, as one would not get every visual gag in one sitting. The film is brimming with comedic and farcical textures that render the film watchable again and again.

"Playtime" will knock the socks out of any film lover. It's scope of visual observations about the changing landscape of modernity leaves one exasperated by the continuous slog into a damning future. While there is plenty to laugh about, it is a film that will leave you aching for the comforts of organic life and natural beauty, away from the cold, careless future that awaits us.