Robert Frost noted upon verse libra vs. ordinary verse, that it was as playing tennis without a net. In his review Roger Ebert suggests that “Parade” is verse libra in film. Not a bad simili at all, as there is nothing of substance in “Parade” at all, even to the point of Tati actually playing tennis, without a net… and a ball.

“Parade” is the last film by Jacques Tati. His two prior films, “Playtime” and “Traffic” had been failures and while they had been hell to finance, he was now completely unable to find any backers for his projects. Along came Swedish television, who offered him a tiny budget and a three day shooting schedule. The result was “Parade”.

It is not really a film, nor is it Tati. There is no structure or plot. Its more an anarchic exercise in Tati comedy, which he himself called “out of control music hall”. One could go as far as to call it a recording of an amateur circus rehearsing their acts.

As such, “Parade” is really unworthy of Tati and he really should have stopped with “Traffic”, a film already weak and lacking the strength of his genius. It is one of those films, you, as a fan, really have to see, but at the same time rather want to forget. “Parade” is a bitter final for one of cinemas greatest masters.

Henrik Sylow

Screen Captures