Play Time (1967)

Wow, this movie was really something special! I really mean that. There were times when I loved what was going on, there were times I got lost in it's magic, and there were times when I wanted to pull my hair out because it was frustrating me to no ends.
This film, is honestly like no film I have seen before. I was originally a bit weary to see it because I had the impression that Tati was somewhat avant-garde and elitist, and he is to a degree, but you have to let go of your expectations before coming in to see his films.
There's an intense starkness that he employs in his composition, which takes some getting used to. But what grabbed my attention is that his shots look like they're photographs with moving elements. And I know believe there's difference between good cinematography and good photography in a film. Tati never moves the camera, but he doesn't have to because he's able to fill the screen with all the important action. Lots of times he has 2 or 3 different actions going on with different characters, which probably requires multiple viewings.
His narrative is also very different from what I'm used to. He doesn't seem to have any cause and effect present, but is able to build on what is going on, so that he viewer doesn't know what is going to happen next. The film, over the course of the 2 hours follows two people in a fake Paris; a gentleman who is trying to meet someone for an interview/meeting, and a woman who is in town with a tourist group. The two eventually meet and have a connection.
The part of this film that made me want to tear my hair out is the lack of dialogue in the film. One of my favourite attributes in film is banter between characters. Watching a film that has characters only mumble a few phrases here and there, with not much exchange from other characters was frustrating.
In essence I recommend this film because it is really different than other comedic films. The jokes themselves have been done by others but there's a spontaneity/unrehearsed feel to what you see. Definitely enjoyable.