Don’t miss this acclaimed classic!

Often cited as one of the greatest films ever made, Jean Renoir’s “La règle du jeu”/”The Rules of the Game” was not warmly received on its original release in 1939: It was banned as morally perilous during the German occupation and the original negative was destroyed during WWII. It wasn’t until 1956 that Renoir was able to restore the film to its original length.

In retrospect, this reaction seems both puzzling and understandable; at its heart, “The Rules of the Game” is a very moral film about frequently amoral people. A comedy of manners whose wit only occasionally betrays its more serious intentions, it contrasts the romantic entanglements of rich and poor during a weekend at a country estate. Andre Jurieu (Roland Toutain), a French aviation hero, has fallen in love with Christine de la Chesnaye (Nora Gregor), who is married to wealthy aristocrat Marquis Robert de la Chesnaye (Marcel Dalio). Robert, however, has a mistress of his own, whom he invites to a weekend hunting party at his country home, along with Andre and his friend Octave (played by Jean Renoir himself). Meanwhile, the hired help have their own game of musical beds going on: a poacher is hired to work as a servant at the estate and immediately makes plans to seduce the gamekeeper’s wife, while the gamekeeper recognizes him only as the man who’s been trying to steal his rabbits.

Among the upper classes, infidelity is not merely accepted but expected; codes are breached not by being unfaithful, but by lacking the courtesy to lie about it in public. The weekend ends in a tragedy that suggests that this way of life may soon be coming to an end.

“The Rules of the Game” plays only once on Thursday, August 14 at 7:00. All seats are $8.00. Moviegoers are advised to get advance tickets at the box office or online, as shows may sell out. Arriving early is a good idea, in order to choose your seat and also order delicious food and wine or beer.

Scene

Have you tried Scene, on the right side of the lobby? Scene wine/food bar offers tempting food such as panini, snacks and salads–and they can all be brought to your seat in the theater. Scene opens daily at 4:30 and is a great place to visit–even when you’re not going to a movie.