Jacques Tati's shorts are funny and fast-paced. It's a shame he made so few of them.
The present film seems to have been inspired by Chaplin's "The Champion" of 1915. The plot is similar: a bumpkin is drafted as a sparring partner by a pro boxer. The gags are different from Charlot's but equally inspired. Once Tati appears the laughs don't stop until the film fades.
As a bonus we are treated to a snippet of Tati's boxing pantomime from his music hall act, which he would present in toto in his last film "Parade." Rene Clement's direction is fine, and the music is also good. A real winner, this.
The present film seems to have been inspired by Chaplin's "The Champion" of 1915. The plot is similar: a bumpkin is drafted as a sparring partner by a pro boxer. The gags are different from Charlot's but equally inspired. Once Tati appears the laughs don't stop until the film fades.
As a bonus we are treated to a snippet of Tati's boxing pantomime from his music hall act, which he would present in toto in his last film "Parade." Rene Clement's direction is fine, and the music is also good. A real winner, this.