The Magnificent Tati (2009) User Reviews

Excellent Short Retrospective

[et_tu_Brute · 8/10 · 14 August 2011]

Having owned copies of most of Jacques Tati's films on DVD, I couldn't wait to see this documentary on TV tonight.

This is a film that has treated with great sensitivity the life work of M. Tati rather than the life and times of the protagonist of the piece.

I felt compelled to create this post as I felt that some of 'reviews' on this board appeared (to me anyway) to sell this documentary short.

Comments about this brevity (60 mins), does not mean that it lacked quality and the talking-head interviews conducted were edited well and brought to life the subject's approach to film-making & his unique techniques which may never be emulated by anyone ever.

There was a comment suggesting disappointment over the omission of details about Tati's family (wife, son & daughter, Sophie). Sorry, but we are not expecting a Hollywood celebrity style of bio pic here, but a serious film about one of the most individual and important filmmakers of the 20th Century and his work. Fortunately, the publicly aired bickering by his descendents over which daughter that his un-produced script "The Illusionist" refers to was left out of this documentary. This is best left for another time if and when the issue is ever resolved.

For me, the best interviews were with Mme. Marie-France Siegler, Tati's faithful assistant who provides great insight to how Tati felt after the failure of "Play Time". The other significant interview was with Macha Makeïeff who's work through "Les films de Mon Oncle", has enabled us to view the wonderful restoration of Tati's finest films (not including 'Trafic').

For film lovers of Jacques Tati, this is an excellent and compact documentary, although not perfect and I don't think you will be disappointed.

Ciao et tu, Bruté?

Not your average Documentary Film

[CameraGirl5 · 10/10 · 2 December 2009]

I was expecting a rather boring film when my partner dragged me to the Filmhouse in Edinburgh for this film... I was really surprised to discover it was actually very inspiring. Unlike most documentary exposés on artists that tell you what to think and feel (i.e. BBC4 films) this film lets you into Tati's world and allows you to decide for yourself what to think of Mr.Tati. It was very funny also rather sad but ultimately inspiring. I learned that Tati had guts that few have anymore in the commercial film world - he used his success to make a film that is was so ahead if its time only now is it being appreciated (Playtime) - 40 years after its release. I thought it was interesting that the director avoided big-name stars for interviewees and instead used real artists (i.e. Mike Mills) - just as Tati never used any 'big names' in his own films. Other subtle things in the Doc like no commentary I appreciated. I think this will be a model exposé type of factual film as it is simple and honest while totally entertaining.

Great Documentary

[FilmFanatic2 · 10/10 · 2 December 2009]

Don't miss this truly wonderful film. Tells Jacques Tati story in a way that makes you laugh (a lot) and cry (a little) while showing you tasters from every Tati film. Discusses Jacques Tati's avant-garde roots and offers real insight into Tati's unique genius. His courage in pushing the boundaries of cinema is explained and Tati's unique approach to narrative and use of sound is also explored in ways that are very stimulating - clips from a foley studio makes for great viewing. A short sequence on Mimes is very insightful and wonderfully filmed. Some interesting interview footage with Tati's assistant is nothing short of fascinating. Best film on a cinema director I have seen in years. A must for anyone into movies.

A MUST SEE Film !

[stacych123472 · 10/10 · 13 January 2010]

I am a student of film and I am always happy to learn about the masters of cinema. Jacques Tati has become one of my heroes and I don't believe a better film about Tati's rise (and his sad fall) could have been made. I have seen some of the DVD extra films about Tati (on his own DVDs) but none are even close to 'The Magnificent Tati', it is fair to say you will become a Jacques Tati expert after you see this documentary. It is amazing to see Tati speaking in English and to learn that he came from Russian royalty - I was also blown away by Frank Black he showed a heart- felt side that I did not expect from a man who is the lead singer of a post-punk rock band. I was also very impressed by Marie-France S., Jacques Tati's assistant, she made me see Tati was a kind man and that he was committed to his art to the end. My only criticism (and I say this as a self-proclaimed Jacques Tati expert), I wish they would of showed clips from 'Cour du Soir' - Tati's short film from the time of 'Playtime'. I also wished we could of seen Sophie Tatischeff on film not only in stills. Other than that I think this is a great film about a truly great artist. Bravo to the director Michael House.

Very Good Job but not Perfect

[teresa-galvin · 10/10 · 14 January 2010]

I am being hard on this film, however I think any film that tries to condense the career of one of the 20th centuries greatest artist into an hour is asking to be criticized. I think 'The Magnificent Tati' is full of wonderful things but it could of said more about Tati the man. It left me feeling distant form Tati the man. I believe to understand any artist one must understand the person first. This film is really entertaining but for me I felt a little let down by the absence of information about Jacques Tati's wife, son and his daughter Sophie, although she is mentioned I would like to know more abut her. I also have heard he had a daughter he never recognized who lived in the UK and he has grandchildren he never recognized, this is all interesting to me and I wish this film would of went into that. Tati was magnificent however I think he was also difficult and not always kind to his film crews. All of these things should be offered in a film that claims to e THE film in an artist. Saying all that I know that those that see this film will go out and watch Tati's films with more informed eyes so I still give it 9 out of 10.

Can't fault this Documentary

[jjsmith196598 · 10/10 · 13 January 2010]

I love Jacques Tati and was expecting this film to be great... and it was. It packs in all of Tati's films, keeps you laughing and lets you alone with Tati's movies. The interviews are great, however they are not trying to steal the show from the star - Jacques Tati. I think it was wise of the producers to let Tati's films speak for themselves. I also enjoyed seeing that Tati inspires artists beyond Hollywood, cartoon people, rock singers etc. . I think that a good documentary should not try to sell you the subject and this one doesn't at all it merely shows you that Tati's films are very special. I would tell anyone if they want to be entertained for an hour they could do a lot worse than this 'Magnificent' film.

Loved it

[jeromet1971 · 10/10 · 9 July 2010]

Fun film about Jacques Tati, good way to learn about his story and his films. I think the film was well done and the interviews are excellent. My big complaint is that it is a rather short film. I think there is much about Jacques Tati that was left out. On the other hand they do explain things in a simple way and offer an easy way to understand Jacques Tati's work, this is needed for many people who just don't like or get Jacques Tati, this is very good. The film has a very interesting section on sound design, an area Jacques Tati excelled in, this was the best part of the film I thought. If you can see this film it will only make you enjoy Jacques Tati more.

I really enjoyed this film

[erin-watts123 · 10/10 · 15 January 2010]

I saw this film while in Ireland and it was very good. It is hard to see a film on a film-maker because you always want to see the subjects films more than a documentary about the film- maker - I hope this makes sense. Well, 'The Magnificent Tati' did a very good job of letting you have a small taste of all of Tati's work and enabled me for the first time to watch how his films evolved from basic slap-stick to high-art, then back to slap-stick circus performance. I think I really like this documentary however I need to see it again and I am not sure how that will possible as I checked and there are no DVDs of it yet. So I recommend this film but I recommend Tati's actual films such as Les Vacance De M. Hulot or Jour De Fete more, watch them and get the whole story of Tati form his films - they say it all. In all fairness I respect the makers of 'The Magnificent Tati for making a film that is long overdue and will certainly spread Tati's gift with people outside of France.