Robert, Marquis de la Chesnaye (Marcel Dalio) and his wife Christine (Nora Gregor) have a weekend retreat at their country estate. Each of the pair have at least one lover on the side as do some of the married guests. There is also adultery among the servants which causes further havoc. Christine's lover, André (Roland Toutin), is a successful aviator who wants more than just an adulterous affair with Christine.
Very few of the gathering at the estate are honourable; as for those few do not go along with the rules of the title, it is they who contribute most of the film's rare dramatic elements within a mostly comical, farcical framework.
Jean Renoir deserves a great deal of credit. As a director, he has superbly co-ordinated group and crowd scenes and is ably aided by a remarkable cast many of whom show impressive agility and physical comedy. One of those grand actors is Renoir himself as Octave, an invitee to the weekend retreat who is also a close friend of the aristocratic couple. His meltdown during a car accident scene at the beginning of the film is a joy. So is his attempt to get out of a bear costume during an evening's festivities.
With so many characters, it is often difficult to remember who is married to whom and, even more so, who is fooling around with whom. But after multiple viewings (three in my case), the confusion is lessened.
Naturally, class distinction plays a role in this great film as it should. This is aptly exemplified in the famous "hunting" scene in which servants manipulate rabbits and pheasants to move to an area where the rich can amuse themselves in hunting down the poor creatures. (Warning to animal lovers: this scene is not simulated.)
Once the party's over (in more ways than one), there is a rightful somber mood that takes over the antics of the mostly amoral bunch with only the few soulful characters remaining who feel remorse. The conclusion fits perfectly in a great film that covers so much and leaves so much room for discussion afterward.
RATING: 9/10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Directing by Jean Renoir
Very few of the gathering at the estate are honourable; as for those few do not go along with the rules of the title, it is they who contribute most of the film's rare dramatic elements within a mostly comical, farcical framework.
Jean Renoir deserves a great deal of credit. As a director, he has superbly co-ordinated group and crowd scenes and is ably aided by a remarkable cast many of whom show impressive agility and physical comedy. One of those grand actors is Renoir himself as Octave, an invitee to the weekend retreat who is also a close friend of the aristocratic couple. His meltdown during a car accident scene at the beginning of the film is a joy. So is his attempt to get out of a bear costume during an evening's festivities.
With so many characters, it is often difficult to remember who is married to whom and, even more so, who is fooling around with whom. But after multiple viewings (three in my case), the confusion is lessened.
Naturally, class distinction plays a role in this great film as it should. This is aptly exemplified in the famous "hunting" scene in which servants manipulate rabbits and pheasants to move to an area where the rich can amuse themselves in hunting down the poor creatures. (Warning to animal lovers: this scene is not simulated.)
Once the party's over (in more ways than one), there is a rightful somber mood that takes over the antics of the mostly amoral bunch with only the few soulful characters remaining who feel remorse. The conclusion fits perfectly in a great film that covers so much and leaves so much room for discussion afterward.
RATING: 9/10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Directing by Jean Renoir