Mon Oncle

Mon Oncle feels like a silent film reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin or and dry like a Wes Anderson film.  Jacques Tati's style is very meticulous and quite amusing.  It is not your average laugh-out-loud comedy but rather a beautifully scored, intricate comedic look at technology, status and every day life.  The theme is the differences between old/new, working class/upper class and how they live.  Just about every character in this film is endearing in some way or another.  This gives a light feel all around.  The family that lives in the fish fountain house are obsessed with status and anything modern.  They only time they keep the fountain running is when someone of status and wealth comes buy.  What is so funny about that is that they also have a mechanical door to keep people out until the fish fountain can be turned on (although they can see and hear it).  It has awkward moments like when they are having an outdoor dinner party and the woman gives the host rubber flowers.  This reminds me of the feel of The Life Aquatic or The Royal Tenanbaums.