Monsieur Hulot's Holiday
At a sleepy French seaside resort, the well-meaning Monsieur Hulot turns orderly summer leisure into a chain of exquisitely timed comic disturbances.
Overview
A charmingly chaotic holiday unfolds as one man's good intentions lead to a series of hilarious mishaps.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Mild
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- witty
- deadpan
- breezy
- lazy sunday
- summer afternoon
What critics said
Critics widely regard the film as a sublime, visually inventive comedy that combines silent-era physical satire with affectionate observation of modern leisure.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hulot's car, tennis game, fireworks, and everyday resort activities generate escalating comic accidents through precise staging.
The resort guests' manners, routines, and leisure behavior are gently punctured rather than treated with outright contempt.
Hulot intends to enjoy the holiday and fit among the guests, but his awkward movements and misunderstandings repeatedly unsettle the resort.
Minimal dialogue is offset by expressive sounds from cars, doors, tennis, fireworks, jazz, and holiday activity.
Films like Monsieur Hulot's Holiday, and why
Play Time
visual satire, physical comedy, and a gentle critique of social manners
Mr. Bean's Holiday
deadpan slapstick, eccentric protagonists, and observational humor
The Gold Rush
quiet visual comedy, class satire, and the influence of silent cinema
The Palm Beach Story
resort setting, physical gags, and humane social observation
Movie Details
- Director
- Jacques Tati
- Release Date
- 1953-02-25
- Runtime
- 87 min
- Rating
- 6.9 / 10 (562)
Cast
- Jacques Tati
- Nathalie Pascaud
- Louis Pérault
- Micheline Rolla
- Valentine Camax
- André Dubois
- Lucien Frégis
- Raymond Carl
- René Lacourt
- Suzy Willy
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Monsieur Hulot's Holiday about?
- At a sleepy French seaside resort, the well-meaning Monsieur Hulot turns orderly summer leisure into a chain of exquisitely timed comic disturbances.
- What is Monsieur Hulot's Holiday like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Monsieur Hulot's Holiday as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Monsieur Hulot's Holiday violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Monsieur Hulot's Holiday.
- What did critics think of Monsieur Hulot's Holiday?
- Critics widely regard the film as a sublime, visually inventive comedy that combines silent-era physical satire with affectionate observation of modern leisure.
- Which films are like Monsieur Hulot's Holiday?
- Films with a similar feel include Play Time, Mr. Bean's Holiday, The Gold Rush, and The Palm Beach Story.
- How long is Monsieur Hulot's Holiday?
- Monsieur Hulot's Holiday runs 87 minutes.
- Where can I watch Monsieur Hulot's Holiday?
- In United States, Monsieur Hulot's Holiday streams on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
