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.