The film begins with Laure, a Paris resident, packing up her belongings in preparation for moving in with her lover. While on her way to have dinner with her friends, she is caught in a massive traffic jam, due to a public transportation strike. As she waits in her car, she meets a man, who she is instantly attracted to, starting off a lustful Friday night. Claire Denis' Friday Night is a film that features very little dialogue throughout, instead focusing much more on creating a cinematic experience which the viewer is transported completely into Laure's point of view. The film is full of Claire Denis' trademark visual design - the use of detailed close-ups, peculiar compositions, no coverage set-ups, etc. all aid in magnificently capturing this main character's feelings and emotions - giving the viewer a direct look into her perceptions. Laure is not a promiscuous character by any means, just someone who is fearful of such a big commitment. This notion is showcased by the fact that she sees her lover's face countless times among the crowd or in the background scenery. The man she discovers is her last escape or sense of freedom, as she romanticizes this one night stand greatly, which is expressed through her perception-inspired point of view. Denis uses subtle imagery and a few fantastical moments (the lamp shade floating in the air, the pizza winking at Laure, etc) as if Denis wants to remind the viewer that this story is merely Laure's perception, not necessarily the reality. While I do think it is a little ambiguous, it seems clear that Laure did spend the night with this man, it just isn't clear how much we witnessed Laure's perceptions rather than reality. 8.75/10
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AuthorLove of all things cinema brought me here. Archives
June 2023
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