Began Renoir on my director list, so naturally started with Whirlpool of Fate. Agreed for the most part with arsaib's comments. Melodramatic to a slightly embarrassing extent but with a few trademark impressionist moments that made the picture worthwhile. Stylistically it is radically separated from the films Renoir would earn his reputation on in the 30's, but well worth a watch, especially considering how little we get to see from 1920's French cinema.