Playtime

Playtime (1967) Directed by Jacques Tati. 1hr 55min. Not Rated. French mime, screenwriter, and director Jacques Tati’s hapless, old-world alter ego Monsieur Hulot appeared in four sublime comedies from 1953 through 1971. Hulot’s third go-round, Playtime, a commercial and critical disaster upon its original release, is now ranked 23rd in the 2022 Sight & Sound critics’ poll of the greatest films ever made. A feast for the eyes, Playtime stages subtle choreography within graphic, mid-century production design, as Hulot embarks on a 24-hour trip through a bewildering, hyperconsumerist Paris. The influence of Tati’s alter ego on the Pee-wee Herman character is palpable: both are postmodern clowns in distinct visual worlds, who virtuosically reimagine physical comedy.  This film is part of the Pee-wee’s Most Favoritest Films series (April 5 – 19). We do not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, and films exhibited don’t necessarily reflect the views of PAM CUT or the Portland Art Museum. In addition to the synopses, trailers, and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on sites like Common Sense Media, IMDb, and DoesTheDogDie.com. Event link: https://portlandartmuseum.org/event/playtime/

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