35 Rhums (35 Shots Of Rum)

A recent work by Claire Denis, perhaps her most famous and popular.
She wheels out most of the wonderful regulars, Alex Descas geting perhaps his most significant role, which he plays with the kind of ablomb that will require multiple viewings to fully appreciate. And the always slightly pathetic look of Colin's face works well here too.
This movie, while perhaps not Denis' most interesting as far as the direction, camerawork, even visually, is though arguably her best exploration of themes.
The camera stays a reasonable distance away, we don't have the close appreciation of scent and touch we do in other Denis films. We have some point of view work, but largely it is all a bit neutral. This film is explicitly referencing Ozu, but this really applies as far as the camerawork goes to only a few shots.
Thematically, however, Denis goes hard at the Ozu standbys. This is basically a film of 'mono no aware', and Denis explores it more confidently than usual, taking care to penetrate through genuine plot development and montage. This makes some of the quiet, rather abstract tenderness very moving. We are always at a bit of an arms length, the film can't ever quite be 'us', as Denis characters can't be themselves. Of course things will change, however much we may avoid it.
Trying to get near Ozu territory is a deadly game, and as far as recreating the master Denis obviously fails. But around the edges of such thoughts she has created a strange sense of being almost alienated from one's own impermanence, and in that there is the truth of the familial relationships.
A slightly different look from Denis, which in some respects is her most touching film.