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Poster for Jour de fête

Jour de fête

Seen it?

1949 | 86 min | Comedy

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who wants a laugh. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Light and funny.
The pace
Breezy, at 1 hr 26 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1949: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

Jour de Fête tells the story of an inept and easily-distracted French mailman who frequently interrupts his duties to converse with the local inhabitants, as well as inspect the traveling fair that has come to his small community. Influenced by too much wine and a newsreel account of rapid transportation methods used by the United States postal system, he goes to hilarious lengths to speed the delivery of mail while aboard his bicycle.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.1 out of 10

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 11K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Jacques Tati

  • Jacques TatiFrançois, the postman
  • Guy DecombleRoger
  • Paul FrankeurMarcel
  • Santa RelliRoger's wife
  • Maine ValléeJeannette
  • Roger RafalHairdresser
  • Jacques BeauvaisCafe owner
  • DelcassanGossip
  • Alexandre Wirtz
  • Robert BalpoCastellan (uncredited)