The Rules of the Game

The Rules of the Game is a French film from 1939 directed by Jean Renoir, which has been hailed as one of the greatest films of all time. The movie is a satire of the French upper-class society and its complex relations, set in a country estate over the course of a weekend.

In the movie, the wealthy and eccentric Marquis Robert de la Chesnaye (Marcel Dalio) hosts a hunting party at his chateau. The guests include his long-time mistress, Christine (Nora Gregor), who is married to a famous aviator. Also present at the party is Robert's friend Octave (Jean Renoir), who acts as a mediator in the complicated relationships of the guests.

The plot of the movie centers around the various romantic relationships that exist between the characters, each of which is complicated by their social status and the unspoken rules of their society. There is a love triangle between Christine, her husband, and Robert, as well as a forbidden romance between a servant, Lisette (Paulette Dubost), and the gamekeeper, Schumacher (Gaston Modot).

The weekend of hunting is an occasion for everyone to play out their desires and expose their feelings, leading to many misunderstandings and betrayals. Throughout the movie, there is a sense of impending disaster as the tensions between the guests begin to boil over.

The Rules of the Game is famous for its complex narrative structure, which weaves together the various storylines in a masterful way. The movie is full of metaphorical and symbolic meaning, making it a rich and rewarding experience for audiences who are willing to delve beneath the surface of the story.

One of the film's most famous scenes is the chaotic party scene, where the characters dance to a gramophone record while Octave narrates their thoughts and feelings in voice-over. The scene is a tour de force of filmmaking, featuring stunning camerawork and editing to capture the frenzied energy and emotion of the moment.

The movie was criticized upon its release for its negative portrayal of the French upper class, leading Renoir to cut several scenes from the film. Despite this, the movie has endured as a masterpiece of French cinema and a searing critique of the social norms and conventions that govern human relationships.

The Rules of the Game is a timeless classic that will continue to captivate audiences for generations to come. Its examination of the complexities of human relationships and its critique of society's unspoken rules resonate as powerfully today as they did when the movie was first released over 80 years ago.