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The Rules of the Game (1939)
A film about a specific species of animals called humans, and the silly things they do. Once the film gets going, it never stops- Renoir makes no breaks in this crazy, high-speed story to introduce characters, develop relationships, or produce drama; instead, he does all this and more on the fly, juggling his directorial responsibilities and multi-tasking to ensure their completion. This may sound like a crummy way to make a film because we've all seen the method tried and failed before, but Renoir is a beautiful exception. His risks pay off, and in doing so they give his film an extra dimension and help round out the simple complexities that make up the humorous storyline. Two years before 'Citizen Kane', Renoir developed some of the most intricate camera movements and scene compositions in a way that had never been done before. One can never simply watch the foreground of the picture because something in the background will surely be missed. Off-screen space is utilized as if the camera sees in all direction, and when there is a sudden pan or tracking shot to reveal another section of the party we believe that what we then discover has been going on all along. The orchestration of actors and set in this film is simply one of the greatest I've ever seen. And speaking of acting, who knew that of a cast so thick with talent Renoir himself would steal the show? His portrayel of Octave- spoiled and jolly bourgeoisie on the outside, lonely on the inside- is what strings the film together and gives it its real tragic punch. But tragedy aside, Renoir set out to derail the upperclass in a wild satire of sorts and on this very first objective he succeeds magnificently. It is one of the most technically proficient films ever made, obviously imagined by a true artist, and it is a joy to watch. Animals indeed.
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