Heureux Anniversaire (‘happy birthday’) confirmed the lively, sweetly satirical context of Rupture, which would reach its complete form in Le Soupirant (The Suitor –1963). It is a mix of mechanical and rhythmic gags and surprises – such as Etaix’s head appearing on the end of the juggler’s stick at the precise moment when the ball is expected there – and little things and absurd everyday notations. An example of these latter: the Swedish woman, learning French, repeating “the book is on the table”, while she holds the book in her hand and there is nothing on the table. The most burlesque sketches are followed by more subtle allusions.

Pierre Jouvet, Rencontres d’Arles. Pierre Etaix, “Cinématographe”, no. 42, December 1978