if jean renoir first film whirlpool of fate first take u into the world of the countryside and the river and the life of the peasantry that he will continue to explore and it seem only fit that his second film deal for the most part with the wealthy and the privileged and the upper class and those who be try to claw their way upwards . put the character from the first two film together and you have the seed of his great grand illusion and rule of the game . this be beautifully film and with the restless camera make full use of the amazingly huge apartment and backstage area that dominate the film interior and and the act though frequently overwrought offer some great moment a well and particularly from werner krauss muffat . but the glamorous and sultry ms. hessling and who at first appear a if she might give louise brook a run for her money in vampishness and never go beyond a one note and selfish harlot portrayal . perhaps this be in part a problem with the script and which do seem to mostly go for high point and outrage emotion while not have read the novel i be not really clear on whether the choice be well make or not . still and the difference between nana suitor be well draw and and i particularly like the relationship between muffat and jean angelo vandeuvres the tragic understanding that each seem to have of his ultimate fate and their sympathy with each other and particularly in the scene at the bottom of the enormous staircase where vandeuvres warn muffat and and we wonder if violence will erupt this and other gleanings of the ridiculousness of the idle rich help give the film the depth it have . far from his great achievement and and for me probably just shy overall of whirlpool of fate and this be still well worth see for renoir fan or those interested in silent cinema generally .