Review of Vendredi soir

A French movie about sex. . . SURPRISE!

Vendredi Soir is one night in the life of a woman, Laure, before she moves in with her partner. A Friday night, to be exact. Laure has spent the day packing all of her possessions before she gets in her car to head to a friend's home for a dinner party. Unfortunately, Paris is in the grips of a transit strike and Laure finds herself sitting still in a hopeless traffic jam. No, wait. I meant, 'fortunately,' because a handsome stranger asks her for a ride to get out of the cold, damp air. Laure accepts, and the two begin a curious and largely silent courtship that only lasts till dawn the next day. Claire Denis makes films that possess a smoldering intensity, even in the cases where they ultimately fail. Vendredi Soir possesses just that, but it succeeds nicely, and it does so with remarkable restraint. There is very little in terms of graphic content or even nudity, but images of the new lovers burying their faces in each other necks and the lingering close-ups of fingertips running over bare legs are extremely sexy. What is a largely plot-less film about stranger sex and infidelity turns out to be a tender, passionate romance. And it will leave you absolutely desperate to kiss someone beautiful. So do it. Aaron. whatsaninternet.blogspot.com

Posted on 02/15/08 by: Aaron 04:28 AM