My curiosity in this film was roused when I saw it referenced in a documentary about Rowan Atkinson. Jaques Tati's was referenced as one of the other few comics who can perform such universal physical comedy.
Though this film is not a laugh a minute, it is pretty well paced. The goofy clowning is not all centered around M. Hulot, there are several other clumsy characters, and mischievous children who each either cause or catalyze some humorous event. I think this takes the clumsiness out of the whole.
Another reason to see this is to see a snapshot postcard of how holidays were done. I believe that this is an accurate representation of how French Holidays were, the main hotel seems to dominate the quiet bay, everyone has taken room and board, and the beach empties when the meal bell rings.
I can see why this classic is still available, but it is from a more genteel time, so the pacing I found a little slow.
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