I don't have much to add in terms of the film's quality. It is a legendary film built on some sharp social commentary and some innovative deep focus cinematography. It is perfectly enjoyable as a comedy of manners; the sequence when the affairs get exposed and the film becomes a farce is still laugh out loud funny to me. And of course the film has a ton of barbs about how the European aristocracy was not only terrible but allowed WWII to happen. But I do want to talk about one aspect that I really connect with.
Renoir plays Octave. The performance is a good performance, and the character is a engaging persona. However, Octave in a sense is the most contemptible character in the film. His cowardliness directly lead the tragic end. Renoir by casting *himself* in that part really tempers the bitterness of the film. It helps the film sympathizes with its characters while detesting the rules and structures that deform basic humanity. This decision anchors the film in a tender humanitarian.
It makes the film say we need to be better as opposed to the aristocracy is terrible.
Renoir plays Octave. The performance is a good performance, and the character is a engaging persona. However, Octave in a sense is the most contemptible character in the film. His cowardliness directly lead the tragic end. Renoir by casting *himself* in that part really tempers the bitterness of the film. It helps the film sympathizes with its characters while detesting the rules and structures that deform basic humanity. This decision anchors the film in a tender humanitarian.
It makes the film say we need to be better as opposed to the aristocracy is terrible.