The Magnificent Tati

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 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.

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.

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.

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.