Playtime Movie Information

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Movie Information

Overall Rank: 1825

Average Rating: 3/4

# of Ratings: 26

Theatrical Release Date: 06/27/1973

Language: French

Genre: Comedy

MPAA Rating: NR

Director: Jacques Tati

Actors: Jacques Tati, Yves Barsacq, Georges Montant, Billy Kearns, John Abbey, Rita Maiden

mitchellyoung - wrote on 02/15/2012

"Playtime" definitely takes some adjusting to, but it's a nuanced and creative visual journey. The film is basically plotless and consists solely of observing a collection of characters in their native environment in Paris, complete with some visual jabs at technology and modern society. The film's color palette, framing, and direction are so creative, that the film bears a second watching to pick up all the sight gags and visual thematic symbolism that Tati packs into the film. It's certainly an observational film that may frustrate those looking for a plot-driven, traditional three act arc, but it's an avant garde masterpiece.

Daniel Corleone
Movie God

Playtime review

Daniel Corleone - wrote on 03/09/2013

A film that is experienced visually and via various audio utilized. It focuses on architecture than character development, which makes the film seem long since it doesn't follow any traditional storytelling. The film is completely plot-less, is more of a journey instead of having a definite story. Barbara (Barbara Dennek) is an American tourist while Monsieur Hulot (Jacques Tati) becomes lost in a frenzy high tech environment. The movie boasts of extravagant set pieces, precise choreography and slight humor. Unfortunately, this picture doesn't appeal to this critic unlike 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Tree of Life or much like Stalker in terms of having a light (or no) plot with gorgeous visuals and endearing scores. It wasn't even funny and could not elicit a smile since everything …

SIngli6
Producer

Beautiful Sound

SIngli6 - wrote on 04/08/2011

While the labyrinthine schematics of this frolicsome Arcadian revue's sets are worthy of veneration alone, the sound design is what really makes this film so superb. Personally arranged by Tati, the soundtrack is so impeccable that guffaws can be elicited from the mere slurp of whipped cream from a can. But as for everything else in the film, naturally it's all amazing. The sets (as mentioned before) are amazing, the performances are amazing, the cinematography is amazing, Jacques himself is beyond amazing. If any film could be boasted as a rival to the mise-en-scene of '2001', this one would be it.

P.S. - Make sure the version you're watching is the uncut European release. I have no idea why the Americans felt it necessary to cut the apartment scene, but it really is the sort of …