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The Man in the Hat

Play trailer 1:42 Poster for The Man in the Hat 2021 1h 35m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
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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The Man in the Hat

Critics Reviews

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Nell Minow RogerEbert.com May 14, 2021
3.5/4
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. Go to Full Review Ellen E Jones Guardian Sep 17, 2020
3/5
It's a Francophile fantasy that may be too twee for some, but the French tourist board will surely be satisfied. Go to Full Review Keith Garlington Keith & the Movies Aug 17, 2022
4.5/5
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. Go to Full Review Ruth Maramis FlixChatter Film Blog Feb 2, 2022
3.5/5
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. Go to Full Review James Croot The Post NZ Aug 30, 2021
3.5/5
Northern Irish actor Ciaran Hinds is an expressive delight as the eponymous l'homme au chapeau. Go to Full Review Jane Freebury The Canberra Times (Australia) Aug 20, 2021
3/5
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 Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Henry D @Henry_Domke Oct 24, 2026 A very pleasant, amusing poem of a film. The sparse dialogue and visual humor reminded us of Jacques Tati. It was a pleasure to see southern France looking so uncrowded. Ciarán Hinds’s deeply expressive face was at the heart of this charming movie. See more Fraser C @RT37717271 Apr 18, 2026 I love it! Classic British movie. No talk. Just music and funny little things. Touchy. Highly recommended! See more Peter C @Pierrelechef Feb 21, 2026 No noise, just music and slow movement from the salt flats to the mountains. Hinds' face is amazing and the sweetness and kindness with a hint of malevolence kept me eyes and ears at full attention. Haven't enjoyed a film as much as this one since je ne sais quoi! See more Grace K @Omsie Jan 30, 2026 Exceptional film, the music appears here and there wonderful music. The traveller takes you with him on what a life journey should be: connecting to people, busting in village gathering, dancing, listening to stories, being the friend of every stranger. I think God is in this movie. It leaves a smile on your face for days! See more Colin C @Chats Dec 24, 2025 Whimsical, delightfully disconnected float through rural France. Pathos with a howl. Reflections of Jaque Tati. Utterly without consistency unless the recurring individuals became consistent in the progressive settings. Light, compelling and total joy. See more Ian K @RT20771120 Sep 14, 2025 Beautiful little film that is more like a poem. It invites you to pause and contemplate loss and love, grief and memories. The backdrop is a deliberately romantic view of a rural France that probably never existed, which prompts you to think about the validity of memory. See more Read all reviews
The Man in the Hat

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Cast & Crew

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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

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The Man in the Hat

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Movie Info

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
Producer
Daniel-Konrad Cooper, Dominic Dromgoole
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
Runtime
1h 35m
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