The awful thing about life is this: Everybody has their reasons
Jean Renoirs mark on cinema cannot be overstated, The Rules Of The Game seems to have paved the way for some of the most cutting edge satires ever produced, films that always appear in the conversation of the best ever, however, ignoring its influential nature, as it’s own satire? It’s not very biting.
A harsh and witty take down of the French bourgeoisie at the cusp of a world war, a risky and rebellious project from anyone involved, some could even argue it’s career suicide with it’s clearly leftist lean bound to anger a lot of the ruling classes (the film was banned for a very long time almost straight after its release). However, as cutting edge as it may be for 1939, it’s something many modern viewers will have seen before. It’s not at all the films fault that it’s so grand in it’s influence, but it still doesn’t change the fact that the formula is something I’ve seen done before and much better. The Rules Of The Game is both way ahead of it’s time (with it’s at times brutish satire) and very clearly a product of its time (quite a few outdated jokes here and there).
One minute it’ll have you rolling with laughter and the next you’ll be faced with the reality and the consequences, slapstick comedy is used as a driving force for tragedy (which I think is just a brilliant example of genre theory, it takes a common part of comedy and subverts it in an engaging way- even managing to slide the film into a completely different genre- but then when you think about it, drama and comedy are very close together). It’s filled to the brim with quips and wits as well as tragedy and enough solemn long takes to make you reflect. Renoirs use of the long take is playfully tense, dragging out not just the comedy but also the constant feel of a crumbling (upper class) mind. As their party falls apart by the seams and love triangles seem to emerge from every corner, all sense of control is lost and chaos ensues.
Although the entire cast was delightful, I am still in awe with Marcel Dario’s theatrical (and hilarious) performance as the wealthy host of the party, who’s constantly begging for attention albeit subtly. His body language is fascinating to watch, there’s so many little details in his performance, it would take hours to unpack just every little slight movement. Specifically his work with his arms is so strangely entertaining to watch, the movements feel so exaggerated and even unnecessary- but they add this unmatchable air of poking fun at the rich to the character. He is so obvious in what he’s trying to be and succeeds at it in every way. One of the greatest comedic performances ever.
The first 50 or so minutes of The Rules Of The Game, are fine, they’re good but nothing special. However once the second half of the film kicks in, that’s when it starts to really find its voice and become something memorable. I would call this film a masterpiece, and maybe on a rewatch my rating will align with that statement, but I do wish that I was more engaged in the first half of the film so I could get a more overall appreciation of it.
★★★★
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