The Man in the Hat

Released May 14, 2021

1 hr. 35 min.

Comedy

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100%

14 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Audience Score

The Man In The Hat sets off from Marseilles in a small Fiat 500. On the seat beside him is a framed photograph of an unknown woman. Behind him is a 2CV into which is squeezed Five Bald Men. Why are they chasing him? And how can he shake them off? As he travels North through France, he encounters razeteurs, women with stories to tell, bullfights, plenty of delicious food, a damp man, mechanics, nuns, a convention of Chrystallographers and much more. And always, on his tail, the Five Bald Men. Though largely silent, the film is interrupted by regular bursts of music, with new songs from Stephen Warbeck, Schubert Lieder sung by the incomparable Mark Padmore, Canteloube aria from the Cevennes, and Try a Lttle Tenderness, amongst others. As the Fiat 500 wends its way across the mountains, gorges and bridges of France, the 2CV hard behind him, the Thin Man (Ciaran Hinds) comes face to face with the vivid eccentricities of an old country on an old continent.

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Rob W

I'm not exactly sure why, but I loved this movie!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/07/24

Full Review

Juen E

Great film , charming , mainly visual , eccentric, great soundtrack. A man is wending his way through French provincial country roads and villages, scenic vistas and the old stone architectures and its contemporary peoples and practises. There is array of touching , odd, amusing situations and characters. The quality of golden light in the film , and the actors and music compliments a whimsical film 🎥

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/25/22

Full Review

isla s

I enjoyed this film - it has relatively little dialogue and is very much visual, somewhat slapstick style comedy based. It reminded me, in parts, a bit of Mr. Bean, with the small French cars. The titular character is quite facially expressive, his bemusement and frustration clearly coming across - that was amusing too. I liked the jaunty, instrumental music played. Overall its an easy and fun film to watch, perhaps not constantly exciting but a nice little film nevertheless, one with some real charm to it and so I would recommend it, yes.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Ruth F

Quirky, surreal, heartfelt, tender, joyous, sad, all of the above and a little more.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/17/22

Full Review

Audience Member

Beautiful filmed and lovely soundtrack It's a nice little journey and I'm still thinking about it

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

Full Review

David O

Great little slice of rural France - very whimsical and as you will have read elsewhere "Hat" utters just 2 lines of dialogue. Plenty of humour and some funny characters - interesting studies of the gentler side of people

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/22

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John-Paul Davidson

Director

Stephen Warbeck

Director

Ciarán Hinds

Actor

Stephen Dillane

Actor

Sasha Hails

Actor

Maïwenn

Actor

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The Man in the Hat: Trailer 1

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Nell Minow

RogerEbert.com

The Man in the Hat sustains a whimsical tone beautifully throughout its brief running time, perhaps because co-writers/directors John-Paul Davidson and Stephen Warbeck add a touch of melancholy to keep it from becoming too cloying or cutesy.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 14, 2021

Full Review

Ellen E Jones

Guardian

It's a Francophile fantasy that may be too twee for some, but the French tourist board will surely be satisfied.

Rated: 3/5

Sep 17, 2020

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

The film is a tender and heartfelt reminder to appreciate the little things in life and to hold onto the special moments. It reminds us of how the smallest acts of kindness can effect someone’s life in a profound way.

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 17, 2022

Full Review

Ruth Maramis

FlixChatter Film Blog

The French setting, the tiny Fiat 500 and Ciarn Hinds in a comedy appeals to me. Overall its a sweet, quirky road movie with a joyful music to accompany the entire ride.

Rated: 3.5/5

Feb 2, 2022

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James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

Northern Irish actor Ciaran Hinds is an expressive delight as the eponymous l'homme au chapeau.

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 30, 2021

Full Review

Jane Freebury

The Canberra Times (Australia)

A gentle picaresque adventure through rural France with a mute travel companion, it has impeccable comedic timing and a musical score that more than makes up for the silence

Rated: 3/5

Aug 20, 2021

Full Review

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Synopsis

The Man In The Hat sets off from Marseilles in a small Fiat 500. On the seat beside him is a framed photograph of an unknown woman. Behind him is a 2CV into which is squeezed Five Bald Men. Why are they chasing him? And how can he shake them off? As he travels North through France, he encounters razeteurs, women with stories to tell, bullfights, plenty of delicious food, a damp man, mechanics, nuns, a convention of Chrystallographers and much more. And always, on his tail, the Five Bald Men. Though largely silent, the film is interrupted by regular bursts of music, with new songs from Stephen Warbeck, Schubert Lieder sung by the incomparable Mark Padmore, Canteloube aria from the Cevennes, and Try a Lttle Tenderness, amongst others. As the Fiat 500 wends its way across the mountains, gorges and bridges of France, the 2CV hard behind him, the Thin Man (Ciaran Hinds) comes face to face with the vivid eccentricities of an old country on an old continent.

Director: John-Paul Davidson, Stephen Warbeck
Screenwriter: John-Paul Davidson, Stephen Warbeck
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
Production Co: Rather Good Films, Open Palm Films
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 14, 2021, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): May 14, 2021

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