Credited as one of the greatest films of all times, The Rules of the Game follows the romantic interactions of several members of a party of the French nobility, both guests and servants. Constant flirting and intrigue surround everyone as they pursue those they love, or seem to love, and no one seems to take no for an answer. From the servants to the hosts, both men and women deplore the state of the opposite gender as hopeless and yet still try to impress and win one another. Above all though rides this principle of dignity and propriety that must be followed when in love. The cast either respects these rules or tries to break them for their love.
When I’d first read a synopsis of the plot, I didn’t really understand the title. As I watched though, it became clearer: the game was love and everyone had to follow certain rules, or at least look like it. The aviator Jean and hostess Christine want to runaway but, Jean wants to follow propriety and tell her husband, the Marquis, that they are going away. Christine doesn’t feel the same and wishes that he would simply take her in his arms and runaway with her. She couldn’t care less about the rules of the game called love; all that matters to her is action dictated by feeling. Her wish is granted when her true love, Octave, says that they will runaway together. However, their plans are foiled when a case of mistaken identity leads to death, really meant for Octave. What might the director be saying about those who try to break the rules?
No comments:
Post a Comment