I have seen "The Rules of the Game" only once. But I loved it so much and it feels like a secret I want to share with the world. I certainly hope this does justice.
One of the greatest films of all time is one that some may not know because it is French. If you are not french, then basically only people outside of that country that know this are major cinefiles. That is really too bad because this IS as great as people say and it deserves to be studied. On the other hand, its partial obscurity makes this more personal and intimate to me. Whatever.
La Regle Du Jeu (that is its original title, but I will call it by its English name during the rest of this review) is one of the most beautiful and elegant flicks ever, like an Astaire & Rogers flick, "Trouble In Paradise," or a Fellini masterwork.
This Jean Renoir flick came out in what people often regard as cinema's finest year: 1939. That year there was "Wizard of Oz," "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington," "Goodbye Mr. Chips," and the major winner that year which was "Gone With The Wind." But this French film easily beats most of those flicks. It has even gone so far as critics and directors on BFI's Sight and Sound rating it near the very top of their lists. Out of the thousands of films I have seen, this is in the top 100 and my love for it may grow.
The film begins with a triumphant return of Andre. He is a pilot who beat Lindbergh's record and is welcomed by all, except the woman he loves. The whole point of his flight was for her, so the fact that she wasn't there to welcome him has him disappointed in the entire endeavour. His best friend, Octave (played gloriously by the director), tries to snap him out of it. The woman he loves is Christine, who is married to Robert who recently broke up with his mistress. In a bid to cheer up a down Andre, Octave gets Robert to invite them to to a manor in the country. More guests are invited where things grow and boil into explosive results. So much shock and insanity is in store with these people under one roof, too much to include in one review.
The character map of who's who grows and can be a bit confusing among first view. It is pretty complex, but it does make sense and can be fully digested among first viewing (I am saying it is possible to get confused, not likely). The complexity of it all is what I love about it. All are acted and developed perfectly. The relationships in the characters is fun like a Robert Altman epic, and the depth in each character is endlessly fascinating.
The lavish luxury is something to behold. I am not sure what aristocrats and bourgeois are in terms of social ranking, but whatever they are makes this great. In 1939, the Great Depression was ending and World War II was just starting. Unlike the screwball romcom "Trouble In Paradise" from 1932 which was the perfect escapist entertainment flick, "The Rules of the Game" looks more at the divisions of class and more important issues of life while still including the physical beauty and some comedy to soothe the viewer.
"The Rules of the Game" is a definite contender for the best movie ever made. It's best rivals would be "Citizen Kane," "Tokyo Story," what else!? So in short: buy this, study this, cherish this.
4/4
One of the greatest films of all time is one that some may not know because it is French. If you are not french, then basically only people outside of that country that know this are major cinefiles. That is really too bad because this IS as great as people say and it deserves to be studied. On the other hand, its partial obscurity makes this more personal and intimate to me. Whatever.
La Regle Du Jeu (that is its original title, but I will call it by its English name during the rest of this review) is one of the most beautiful and elegant flicks ever, like an Astaire & Rogers flick, "Trouble In Paradise," or a Fellini masterwork.
This Jean Renoir flick came out in what people often regard as cinema's finest year: 1939. That year there was "Wizard of Oz," "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington," "Goodbye Mr. Chips," and the major winner that year which was "Gone With The Wind." But this French film easily beats most of those flicks. It has even gone so far as critics and directors on BFI's Sight and Sound rating it near the very top of their lists. Out of the thousands of films I have seen, this is in the top 100 and my love for it may grow.
The film begins with a triumphant return of Andre. He is a pilot who beat Lindbergh's record and is welcomed by all, except the woman he loves. The whole point of his flight was for her, so the fact that she wasn't there to welcome him has him disappointed in the entire endeavour. His best friend, Octave (played gloriously by the director), tries to snap him out of it. The woman he loves is Christine, who is married to Robert who recently broke up with his mistress. In a bid to cheer up a down Andre, Octave gets Robert to invite them to to a manor in the country. More guests are invited where things grow and boil into explosive results. So much shock and insanity is in store with these people under one roof, too much to include in one review.
The character map of who's who grows and can be a bit confusing among first view. It is pretty complex, but it does make sense and can be fully digested among first viewing (I am saying it is possible to get confused, not likely). The complexity of it all is what I love about it. All are acted and developed perfectly. The relationships in the characters is fun like a Robert Altman epic, and the depth in each character is endlessly fascinating.
The lavish luxury is something to behold. I am not sure what aristocrats and bourgeois are in terms of social ranking, but whatever they are makes this great. In 1939, the Great Depression was ending and World War II was just starting. Unlike the screwball romcom "Trouble In Paradise" from 1932 which was the perfect escapist entertainment flick, "The Rules of the Game" looks more at the divisions of class and more important issues of life while still including the physical beauty and some comedy to soothe the viewer.
"The Rules of the Game" is a definite contender for the best movie ever made. It's best rivals would be "Citizen Kane," "Tokyo Story," what else!? So in short: buy this, study this, cherish this.
4/4