Bedways is Bestways Now
Le grand amour: Anatomy of a Gag from Criterion Collection on Vimeo.
Over at Criterion, I have a new video essay up. Made this one with Stephen Horne and it officially turns our Jacques Tati “Anatomy of a Gag” piece into the first of a series. Watch out for new episodes soon!
shadowplay 
January 27, 2017 at 11:54 am
I picked up the Criterion box when it came out; enjoyed them all. Just read that he died last year; nice that he had such a full career with the early features coming back as sort of a dessert.
Recalling an interview moment where he recalls “Land of Milk and Honey”, having intended it (and still seeing it) not as an indictment or expose but as a laugh riot. A neat flip on the cliche of the overly serious artist who intends tears or outrage, but gets laughs.
January 27, 2017 at 6:42 pm
I must say, Land of Milk and Honey FEELS quite angry and uncomfortable. Maybe the French didn’t like to see that image of themselves… I probably wouldn’t like it either! Elsewhere, especially in As Long as You’re Healthy, Etaix manages to be very critical and satirical while still entertaining us and maintaing a sweetness that’s his defining quality.