Movie 234/1001 ~ The Rules of the Game

This classic 1939 film by Renoir is considered one of the greatest movies ever made. This film is about upper-class French society before World War II. The movie is centered around a pilot who returns from a trip across the Atlantic to discover that Christine, his lover, has married another man. Christine and her husband invite many people to their country home, including the pilot and the husband's mistress. Various romantic intrigues ensue. The film requires that the viewer pay attention. There is a great deal of dialogue and it can be difficult to follow the plot. The film makes great use of deep focus. This technique has allowed Orson Welles to gain fame, but he was probably inspired by Renoir. In this film, the actors in the background or foreground will subtly advance other plot points while the main action occurs. The film is a great inspiration to many film directors, notably Robert Altman. His film Gosford Park is clearly an homage of sorts to The Rules of the Game. Altman has stated that "The Rules of the Game has taught me the rules of the game."

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