Sylvain Chomet, creator (director? conductor?) of Bellville Rendezvous has been at work on the animated production of an old Jacques Tati script. The /Film post from which the following stills were lifted goes on to say that: “He has also, so far, shown a complete lack of control in plotting and pacing. There’s no denying how charming his work is, how wonderfully drafted, imaginative and full of character but there’s not been much narrative discipline on display. Here’s hoping The Illusionist, with the help of Tati’s screenplay, pulls that particular rabbit out of the hat.”
Interesting comment, given that much of Tati’s filmography could largely be described as having a determined, yet charming lack of narrative discipline. If it so happens that Chomet demonstrates a serious lapse in linear narrative pacing and development, then we may have in The Illusionist exactly what it seems to be: An animated Tati film. (Which, it appears, /Film would review poorly.)
A few very promising stills:
