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gjmaupin's review against another edition
3.0
For the hardcore only - interesting thoughts, though as an essay by a French writer for Cahiers du Cinema, it reads like - well, an essay by a French writer for Cahiers du Cinema. I kind of want to tell the guy to get the beret out of his eyes occasionally. I love me the Tati films (or I'd never have gotten the book), but nothing makes comedy, even complex comedy, less funny than pretentious people holding it up to the light and proclaiming that it's not even comedy, for eet eez too byooteeful. Ok. Fine.
Am I going to have to call off books-about-film the way I've done (about 95%) with books-on-music? Almost never works unless it's pure anecdote and zero analysis, because the temptation to get all hopped up on your own metaphor because you're blinded by the greatness reflecting off your forehead from the actual artist at work just exhausts me.
Still, though, I seem to have given this three stars because it's about M. Tati and if it keeps my mind on his work, I'm generally happy.
Am I going to have to call off books-about-film the way I've done (about 95%) with books-on-music? Almost never works unless it's pure anecdote and zero analysis, because the temptation to get all hopped up on your own metaphor because you're blinded by the greatness reflecting off your forehead from the actual artist at work just exhausts me.
Still, though, I seem to have given this three stars because it's about M. Tati and if it keeps my mind on his work, I'm generally happy.
testpattern's review
2.0
You'd think that a serious French critic who writes for the Cahiers would be able to do a little better than this imagistic twaddle.
schmub's review against another edition
4.0
Chion likes to wander around a bit, but if you can handle that and its anecdotal-like structure, you get some interesting musings and tidbits from a great film critic. If you're looking for an overarching argument, you'll be disappointed.
mrjoe's review against another edition
4.0
If you've seen all 6 films, watched the Criterion extra features, read the excellent biography by Bellos, and you're still hungry for more Tati, then this little book is an enjoyable little adventure.
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