'Playtime'

Jacques Tati really did not dig the direction that Paris and France went int during the middle of the 20th century.

In three straight films of his that I've seen of his, they all star Tati as Mr. Hulot, the bumbling, mostly silent Frenchman, who finds himself in a number of different scenarios and circumstances because ... he's so bumbling.

As funny as it can get, Tati readily indicates his utter disdain for modern Paris and the ton of tourists that were coming in and eating away at the charm and uniqueness of his home country.

As admirable as this may appear, it's really pointless and petty. Does he not want people to be soulless and obnoxious? You have enough babies over time and a number of them are going to be dumb.

I don't know what Tati expected. Maybe these films are just his statement. Had he not made them, he would've regretted it forever. I'd like to think so.

Despite his disenfranchised view of modern living, his sets are visually mesmerizing.