35 Shots of Rum

"35 Shots of Rum"
Starring: Alex Descas, Mati Diop, Nicole Dogue, Gregoire Colin

 Claire Denis is widely unknown amongst American movie-goers, but remains an important figure in modern film making today. Her 2008 film 35 Shots of Rum is a minimalist look at 4 people all living in the same apartment complex in a French suburb.  At first, we don't know the relations or proximity of these people, and by the end, we're still unsure, but we've learned much more about their being, and social placement.

Alex Descas plays Lionel, a train conductor who doesn't say much, but conveys feeling and emotion with his facial expressions. He has an extremely close relationship with his daughter Josephine played by Mati Diop. Josephine is a student, and works at a local Virgin record shop. Denis provides simple opening scenes of Lionel and Josephine eating and preparing dinner for one another, we know they're close based upon their body language and rather sparse, but revealing dialogue. 

The film gives insight into complicated relationships, Lionel is a widower, but has relations with a past flame named Garbrielle, played by Nicole Dogue. She drives a cab, and on most nights smokes on her balcony waiting up for Lionel to come home from work. Then there is Noe, a friend and love interest, in no apparent order to Josephine. Noe is a confused male, maybe a few years older than Josephine who travels consistently and tells Josephine he's considering a job in Gabon.

The mood of the film is pitch perfect, we look in on fleeting moments that shape our characters, some of the most powerful moments shown are expressed through looks, gestures, or silence. 35 Shots of Rum hasn't the hint of narrative, exposition, or predictability,  it's a sensual, slice of life portrait of four people looking for what's coming next. Even the audience is unsure of these characters motivations, but Denis' craft lies in her storytelling, and the craft molds this beautiful, seductive film.

Wings of Desire

“Wings of Desire”
Starring: Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander, Peter Falk

Wim Wenders’ 1987 film touches upon virtually every human emotion with truth and heavenly nuance; Wings of Desire is the story of angels, memory, and love. The film is also a visual love letter to Berlin, and all of its past transgressions. It’s a loose story that takes its time following two angels, Damiel (Ganz) and Cassiel (Sander). We view their daily routine of watching citizens of Berlin live daily. They absorb the thoughts and actions of these people; looking in from time to time and gathering notes or stories about human life that they share with each other.

Damiel, whom is already longing for more complex emotions, rather than those of his own kind, begins to fall for a female trapeze artist whom is lost within. The woman is Marion, natural in beauty, and empty with the hopes of connection and purpose. Wings of Desire maintains its identity throughout. It’s a love letter to cinema, and possesses a patient buildup of perspective, identity, and longing.

Greenberg

 “Greenberg"

Starring: Ben Stiller, Greta Gerwig, Rhys Ifans, Jennifer Jason Leigh

           Noah Baumbach’s Greenberg has the slight hints of a new direction for the talented writer/director. Instead, Greenberg is a familiar take on an anxiety filled 40 something played by Ben Stiller. Stiller at the age of 45, rarely gets the chance to shine in a dramatic role. Here he plays Roger Greenberg, an unstable carpenter from New York who is called to LA to housesit for his wealthy and disapproving brother.

            The film takes place in and around the Hollywood Hills as we spend two weeks with Greenberg, whom recently had a mental breakdown and doesn’t have many friends. He’s happy with doing nothing for now and likes to drink. He takes a liking to the family assistant that helps his brother’s family out. Her name is Florence, and she’s played by newcomer Greta Gerwig, who has made her name after appearing in a few Mumblecore films. Gerwig has a natural presence and beauty that make her an actress to watch in the future. Her small tics and line deliveries may not be viewed well by others, but I think Gerwig is far more interesting than what meets the eye.

            Roger and Greta are hardly the best match for each other, his cynical and unsettled psyche don’t mix well with her good hearted, yet ultimately un-sure nature. But, they’re slightly fun to hang around with. They develop an awkward little relationship that stretches the film outside the audience’s expected comfort level. Baumbach likes to take risks, but Greenberg feels safe in comparison with the director’s previous works. This lack of risk works in a negative way for the film. The director had made his best film based off of dozens of cringe worthy moments; Greenberg may have one or two of those moments in all of its 100 minute runtime

            As I mentioned earlier, Stiller fits nicely into this role that Baumbach could have fully processed for him. Greenberg is alienated from all but a few past friends band mates, one is his closet friends Ivan, played by Rhys Ifans. The others resent Greenberg’s wish to shun away a past record deal. His lack of connection has driven him towards a life of uncertainty and criticism towards almost everyone. He writes small complaint letters to companies like Starbucks and American Airlines enforcing his blunt opinion in one paragraph.

            Baumbach’s film is interesting and insightful at times, but it folds under its own wishes and pretenses. Character studies have always been Baumbach’s niche, but the main protagonist comes off as more dull than dynamic. Stiller isn’t at fault here; he clearly understands the character and brings his A-game. Baumbach appears to have had the idea of a strong character, but didn’t write him all the way through.

            Baumbach is stunk in a funk; he may have peaked with The Squid and the Whale back in 2005. He has collaborated with his current wife Jennifer Jason Leigh on his last two films; she also has roles in both. His talents are noted, and each film is stamped by his signature style, but something needs to change.

            Something is to be said about the look of the film. Harris Savides, who shot Baumbach’s last film, captures the glow and essence of LA. Space is given to the actors, as they’re free to roam in their environments; this is much of what the film consists of. Greenberg may never figure himself out, but Florence is drawn to him for reasons I can’t imagine. They may have a future, they may not. Their interactions are far from normal, as both are living a day, and a feeling at a time.