In the summertime, in the Hotel de la Plage facing the Atlantic, holidaymakers from the city are unloading their luggage, hoping for a peaceful vacation. In the distance, the disturbing sound of a car backfiring is heard: it is being driven by the eccentric Monsieur Hulot (Jacques Tati). When opening the hotel door, he lets in a huge draught—a prelude to the blissful chaos that will soon take over the holiday resort. He plays tennis like he’s dancing, wrecks his boat while fishing—he''s a resident at odds with those around him, involuntarily sowing discord in this small circle of very serious holidaymakers. What ensues is an episodic view of the way a sense of social class obstructs the free exchange of new ideas and people. Hulot meets the young blonde Martine (Nathalie Pascaud) and successfully interacts with her socially but because of her class ties, she is barred from any real future. Hulot himself is classless and seems only able to find companionship at a funeral, but he maintains his positive view of life despite being relegated to sitting with the children on the beach.

Considered by many to be Tati''s funniest film, Mr Hulot''s Holiday introduces the wonderfully eccentric misfit, Monsieur Hulot, and pays homage to the great classic silent comedies with a hilarious blend of colorful characters, sparse dialogue, impeccably timed sight gags, and an innovative sound track.

Mr Hulot’s Holiday was nominated for an Oscar for Best Writing, Story and Screenplay in 1956, and won the Prix Louis Delluc, France’s highest film award, in 1953.