I have never understood the work of Jacques Tati. His Mr. Hulot character was beloved and he made several successful films. However, I've seen several of the films and have never found his pantomiming entertaining. Now this is NOT because I hate pantomime (I love Mr. Bean) nor is it because I hate French films (they are among my very favorites)...I just don't think Hulot is funny at all. Well, I decided to try once again...and found "Evening Classes" about as funny as staring at a bowl of snot for 30 minutes.
Tati plays the Hulot character but talks quite a bit, unlike what I've seen in his other films. He's teaching an acting class and teaches such things as how to play tennis, ride a horse and trip on stairs...none of which, NONE, made me laugh or even smile. It was dry as dust and proof that Hulot-lovers will watch ANYTHING in which the character appears.