I like the presentation of modernity. Large sterile gray areas with all the lines at right angles, people addicted to habit, distance between individuals.
The lack of close-ups is bound to frustrate the viewer, but it’s supposed to, so…
I like how it’s a critique on society, modernity, technology etc… but that its gentle and warm and tends towards absurdity. Our world is ripe with random and beautiful absurdity. We need to laugh at ourselves and our systems some more.
I read it as man finding his place in the modern, technological, world. I found it highly interesting that it is possible to apply Contemplative Cinema techniques to the “slapstick comedy” genre (if you will….). The lack of close-ups and the lack of expository dialog both help create distance between the viewer and the subject, and they allow Tati to make a strong, yet not pushy or obvious, point about the advancement of society keeping up with the advancement of technology, This film works wonderfully as both a work of entertainment, and a work of art.
I had the good fortune of seeing a screening of this at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston about a month ago. One of the best film experiences I have ever had.
Have you heard about the 3D remake?!
Playtimetanic?
I like it quite a bit, but honestly I prefer “Mon Oncle.” A funnier, more concise version of what he was going for in the sometimes overly sprawling “Playtime.”
Would it sink?
Mon Oncle is the emotional approach to modernity. Playtime is the intellectual approach. Both are perfect, but Playtime is, as Nick puts it, an experience of a film. One that I will withhold comment on until I see it in a theatre later this summer.
ThisLife
It’s an interesting film. I was intrigued by the unique comedic and playful take on modern malaise. I don’t want to force any verbal comments, in order to lengthen my post simply for the sake of verbosity, but I thought I’d just start a discussion. Suffice it to say that criticizing and lashing out at everything that’s wrong with modernity with a tinge of humor could serve as the perfect antidote to so many of the world’s problems if people would just pay attention.