Not only that, I am sure Renoir wants us to judge those characters for their casualness about the consequences of their lifestyle, even though they are portrayed charmingly.
I'm split on how Renoir feels about them. There's so much wrong with their lives (and you've nailed exactly how Renoir shows it, especially the hunting scene), but I think the warmth with which he exposes their inner lives means that he isn't sure himself whether to judge them for playing the games of their social class. That ambiguity is one of the best things about the movie. I think Rules shares a certain affinity to Altman's best movies: where Altman thinks of people as petty and self-destructive, but loves them anyway, Renoir is more inclined to love people, but think of some of them as petty and self-destructive, anyway.
: crushing on Corwood and his big brain :
Wow--the Flick Filosopher really hated Knocked Up! She wasn't a fan of 40 Year Old Virgin either, but this one she found truly offensive.
I was already embarrassingly eager to see
Knocked Up
just because of the cast, but the Sturges comparison and Corwood's big literate love seal the deal.
Also, Seth Rogen was on our local radio morning show this morning. Highlights:
Host: So, this is kind of a surprising role for you, being the romantic lead --
Seth (mock huffy): I take offense at that! I mean, yeah. I mean, how do you mean?
Host: You don't look like a romantic lead. You look like the friend, the buddy, the stoner.
Seth: Well, I've noticed that in real life most people
are
the friend, the buddy, the stoner.
Host: This feels like a new direction Hollywood is going in, though.
Seth: Oh, I think weird Jewish guy gets hot blonde chick is a well-established Hollywood genre. I just happen to be the next guy in line.
eta: Wow, Kathy! Most unfortuitous cross-post ever! I usually like the FF, but I think I'm going to look forward to this anyway, just a little.
Wow--the Flick Filosopher really hated Knocked Up! She wasn't a fan of 40 Year Old Virgin either, but this one she found truly offensive.
Heh. I'm tempted to see it now, just to see if it would ping me that way, because the ads ping me that way, even though I have a love/hate relationship with the accidental baby trope.
I really hate the whole "immature man is forced to grow up" subgenre of film, just because the immature man type is my worst nightmare (sad to say, one of my stepbrothers is stuck in that mode, even though he's rapidly approaching 40).
It's second only to the Humiliation Humor Film in my detestation/uncomfortableness-meter. I did not enjoy Meet the Parents because of all the crap they put the Ben Stiller character through.
I did not enjoy Meet the Parents because of all the crap they put the Ben Stiller character through.
Seriously! If you really love the guy, you know how your father is and you elope!
Flick Philosopher: Does anything have to be wrong with anyone who drives their loved ones insane? I'm just saying.
If you really love the guy, you know how your father is and you elope!
Um, not only that, but you help him navigate your family, and you warn him ahead of time about potential pitfalls. GAH, I hated that movie.
