Readers hungry for a unique visual experience still have time to see Jacques Tati’s 1967 masterpiece Playtime at the Aero theater in Santa Monica Sunday night presented by the American Cinematheque. It’s the epitome of French comedy- with architectural overtones, yet. Picture an “everyman” type fellow overwhelmed and puzzled by the modern world, sleek office buildings, and whimsical gadgets. It’s a view of modernism in the mid-century when people thought the world was going in a whole new direction. Dialogue is minimal compared to sound effects. The photo above shows a modern apartment building where passersby can see right in the windows. Anyone who loved Jacques Tati’s other hit Mon Oncle from 1958, will adore this movie. See it once and you’ll never forget it.
