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Watch Mon Oncle - Criterion Collection Movie Online. Movie Title: Mon Oncle - Criterion Collection Average customer review: Mon Oncle - Criterion Collection is available for streaming or downloading. Click Here to Stream or Download Mon Oncle - Criterion Collection

In looking at the other reviews of “Mon Oncle”, it would seem that people either love or hate this movie. From my 5-star rating, you can see that I am in the former category. I fail to understand how a film can be called boring, when it is so full of life, and witty observations. Rather than feeling that it was too long, I was sorry when it was over.

In “Mon Oncle”, the well-meaning, but dim-witted M. Hulot comes face to face with modern living and technology. His brother-in-law is an affluent executive with a plastics company, and owns a state-of-the-art home, full of amazing gadgets. The house is also a tasteless nightmare, devoid of warmth and comfort, with a “garden” to match. You will not soon forget the atrocious fountain, with a huge, metal fish spewing water into the air–but only to impress important guests, of course. In this concrete monstrosity, the couple are also attempting to raise a small boy, who understandably has more fun away from the place, with his uncle Hulot.

Tati is constantly contrasting old-fashioned, small-town life with urban “progress”. In addition to the “house from hell”, we see the huge, boring factory where Hulot’s brother-in-law works, and where he tries, with hilarious lack of success, to land M. Hulot a job. Meanwhile, back at the ranch–er house–we have the outdoor party scene, with a bizarre group of co-workers and neighbours desperately trying to look important and convivial. Of course, Hulot unwittingly undermines the whole celebration, with a little help from that hideous fountain.

There are a number of scenes of children being–well–children–playing tricks on unsuspecting people. Some scene-stealing dogs are also part of the mix.

The DVD is impressive–colours are excellent–the sound naturally is mono. There is a touching introduction by Terry Jones, the well-known director and Monty Python graduate. Also included is an early short film with Tati called “School for Postmen” which is very amusing–a nice bonus.

For those people who consider “Mon Oncle” to be a comedy masterpiece, I agree completely. If you like Tati and his unforgettable creation, M. Hulot, this disc has to be in your collection.

Tati is undoubtably one of the great filmmakers of all time. And this despite the fact that he only released three films under his total control (M. HULOT’S HOLIDAY, MON ONCLE, and PLAYTIME), all available now on Criterion DVD. What is even more impressive is that, unlike the great Howard Hawks, who successfully directed movies of every genre, Tati’s accomplishment was to sucessfully document the development of the modern world under the guise of three simple, light-hearted comedies. From the whimsical near-silent classic HOLIDAY, to the clash of the modern with the traditional in MON ONCLE, to the crushing approach of metal and glass over the classical world in PLAYTIME, Tati made brilliant films that, while obstensibly comedies, offer some of the most insightful commentary on the joy of life to be found in cinema. No movies I can think of are more deserving of DVD presentation. Each film is a masterpiece that warrants repeated viewings (PLAYTIME being particularily challenging).

MON ONCLE, a popular favorite, and beautifully restored here in saturated colors, is a comedy that comments on the threatened loss of the enjoyment of the simple things in life due to the demands of the modern world. Or at least those demands that have been self-inflicted. It is just as prescient today as the it must have been in 1958, maybe more so. Terry Jones’ nice opening commentaries comment on Tati’s carefully constructed sight-gags, but I find Tati’s subtle commentaries on the modern world to be more interesting. Note, for instance, that the workers who are perpetually demolishing older buildings are encroaching towards Hulot’s charming neighborhood as the film progresses.

I cannot recommend Tati’s films highly enough. And for those who collect Criterion releases but are somewhat unsure of this sudden rash of releases by a relatively unknown French auteur, I say jump right in, and if you can’t stand Tati’s films after several viewings, e-mail me and I’ll buy them from you!

P.S. The additional feature alone is worth the price for Tati fans.
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