The plot revolves around a hunting party in teh French countryside. The cast of characters are all attracted to each other and having affairs left and right. You have a hero pilot who loves a married woman. This woman has feeling for both men as well as a long time friend of her families. You have the husband who has a mistress. A female servant who is married to a guard at the house. A tramp who gets a job at the home and falls inlove for the female servant. This is just to name a few of the main characters.
The film reminded me a lot of the works of Robert Altman. He was a master of handling large intermingling casts. I believe his film Gosford Park must have been highly influenced by this picture. I was amazed at how accessible this films was. It is briliantly shot and acted. The script is perfect even if it is a little "talky" which made it tough to follow the sub titles at times.
I also enjoyed watching the class and age differences and similarities. Everyone has a set of rules that they have to follow, but they all love and hurt and morn the same way. I have never seen a film that dealt with that premise in such a delicate way. I can see myself watching this film again if for nothing else to spend more time watching the pictures as opposed to reading the titles.
I give The Rules of the Game a 4/5 stars and I look forward to seeing more of Renoir's body of work. Check out the Trailer Park to see for yourself.
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