The Rules of the Game

Jean Renoir's The Rules of the Game (1939) is insane. INSANE. The director introduces us a huge cast of characters so effortlessly and throws them together for an enormous party that spirals out of control quickly. The characters are complex, intriguing and most of all, very captivating. The narrative weaves them together in such a dense and clever way that I'm still baffled even though it was the second time I saw the film. In only 100 minutes, the film covers so much character and plot development that it could fill a 4-hour film.

This time Renoir's form is also very convincing. The camera drives are powerful and brilliantly connect the different storylines all the way from the servants to the rich. The editing never lets the viewer catch their breath once the real action kicks in - and that's only for the better.

The Rules of the Game is one of the most stunning cinematic masterpieces I have ever seen.

Score: 10 out of 10