This is the point at which film enters the Modern Era. The subtelty of performance, the movement of the camera within the space, the use of editing to create continuous movement through several locations, notably the later chase sequence, the use of lighting, and close-ups really serves to destroy the theatrical facade of film that had been present since its inception and was slowly eroding during the 30’s. The stylistic experiments of the 20’s laid the groundwork for the technical expertise in the 30’s that created by the end of the decade, a language of film. This is clearly a film that is part of the legacy of poetic realism, extending from the French films of the era, however, you are seeing incorporation of Hollywood tendencies in this era in terms of the structure of storytelling and technical aspects of filmmaking.
Stories are now alive, they are very present. There is no stage. We are on location, in a lived place, with people, in real dress. the viewer is not only transported but completely lost in the sense of theater, strictly following the story. Rules of the game is subtle and nuanced using sophisticated filmmaking techniques in editing, shot emphasis, tracking movements to link actors in scenes and timed to create dramatic effect. One of the greatest aspects of this film is its ability to pick up and drop off characters in single tracking shots thus linking separate storylines visually and efficiently while also showing the overall macro story that is unfolding as a tapestry of these multiple stories.
I love the setup of this film from the Pilot being snubbed by his aristocratic lover who has multiple suitors chasing her through the movie up to the tragic shooting at the end whereby the Groundskeeper gets the wrong man. This is a comedy of errors in a way and the cat and mouse games that are played between the various lovers ranging from the Groundskeeper trying to find his wife's lovers to the pilot trying to steal his woman back from the Nobleman who is also two-timing his wife allows for a lot of great comedic moments of people hiding, appearing at the wrong or right moment all while trying to maintain this facade of nobility and honor.
On an immediate level the movie is very funny, very dramatic and very revealing in terms of its "upstairs, downstairs" social dynamics. We see both the poor staff and the rich guests cross their respective social status lines throughout the film offering great commentary on the nature of an evolving modern world.
Rules of the game, sets the standard for the rules of filmmaking to come over the next 50 years. We’ve entered the period where filmmaking can supersede theater in how the timing of events in association with placement of camera and everything that came before and after can create meaning and emotional resonance without a word being said.
I don’t even need to speak to it. The wikipedia articles says everything. But essentially as WW2 was breaking out as the film was being made this was the death blow for movies at their birth. This film documents the transition into the modern world of filmmaking that would emerge through WW2 but primarily afterwards.
In a way this was the last movie of an era before WW2 finally takes hold.