Charlie Chaplin is undoubtedly one of the most beloved comedy filmmakers in movie history, but an iconic French director is the closest thing to a Chaplin replacement that cinema fans will likely ever see. Chaplin needs little introduction, and his silent comedy films helped to transform the movie business in the ’20s.

His iconic Little Tramp character is synonymous with the Golden Age of Hollywood, and Chaplin was known for using the art of film to push boundaries both technically and philosophically. Even as the sound era began, Chaplin continued to work in his usual style, and movies like Modern Times are still crowning achievements that haven’t been topped.

The humor in Charlie Chaplin’s films was equally matched by the heart, and many of Chaplin’s best films have a lot to say about the social conditions of his time. Naturally, he spawned a lot of imitators around the globe, but one French filmmaker borrowed Chaplin’s formula but put a unique spin on the silent comedy approach.

Jacques Tati’s Films Are Perfect For Charlie Chaplin Fans

Tati Was A Masterful Physical Comedian On Par With Chaplin

As Charlie Chaplin’s career was mired in controversy, French actor Jacques Tati was just beginning his journey into feature filmmaking. Tati starred in several comedic short films, but 1949’s Jour de fête (or The Big Day) was his debut as a multi-hyphenated artist. In the film, Tati plays a bumbling postman who does everything but deliver his mail.

A few years later he would invent his signature character, Mister Hulot, and he would continue to play him in a handful of films considered comedy masterpieces. Like Chaplin’s work, Tati’s films are frenetic and mostly silent, with Hulot himself rarely making a sound. Also, like Chaplin, the movies are both humorous and heartfelt, making subtle commentary about society.

Perhaps Tati’s most famous film is 1967’s Playtime, in which Hulot is caught in the hustle and bustle of modern-day Paris. The simple premise is anchored by brilliant comedic scenes, and huge set pieces that betray the scale of the city and the scope of Tati’s filmmaking vision. Unlike other Chaplin disciples, Tati’s work built upon his predecessor’s.

How Mr. Hulot Compares To The Tramp

The Tramp & Hulot Are Cut From The Same Cloth

Tati and Chaplin both had their signature characters, and though Tati didn’t play his nearly as many times as Chaplin, Hulot is still an iconic piece of movie history. Each character reflects the background of their respective actors, and their differences in nationality also play a part in how The Tramp and Hulot appear onscreen.

The Tramp is known for his shabby clothes and toothbrush mustache, while Hulot’s trenchcoat, pipe, and hat are equally recognizable. The Tramp is small and unᴀssuming, while Hulot is tall and lanky, which allows for a different style of comedy as he bumbles through scenes. Building on that, The Tramp is graceful, while Hulot’s clumsiness is part of his charm.

In the end, both characters serve the same purpose. The Tramp is the personification of the human spirit, while Hulot represents a simpler way of life which is constantly interrupted by modern times. They’re fish-out-of-water characters in their own stories, and though Charlie Chaplin did it first, Jacques Tati contributed a lot to the cinematic philosophy of silent comedy.