A disaster when initially released, the movie's reputation has only grown since.
– John Monaghan,
Detroit Free Press,
16 Feb 2007
fresh:
The mobile camera seems to be a member of the party, as it follows the almost balletically choreographed movements of the cast. The effect for the audience is transcendental. We are watching life at its messiest, unfolding at its most beautiful.
– Desson Thomson,
Washington Post,
26 Apr 2007
rotten:
Jean Renoir, who directs, wrote the scenario and dialog, and takes a leading role, has made a common error: he attempts to crowd too many ideas into 80 minutes of film fare, resulting in confusion.
– Variety Staff,
Variety,
6 Jul 2010
fresh:
On the surface, a lace of flirtations, insinuations and rejections compose the basic plotting. But Renoir uses flashes of accelerating drama to amplify his bigger points.
– Mark Chalon Smith,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Jun 2014
fresh:
The word "Mozartean"... gets thrown around a little too eagerly by critics, but one movie, as almost everyone agrees, deserves this supreme benediction -- Jean Renoir's The Rules of the Game.