FRIDAY NIGHT
Directed by: Claire Denis.
Produced by: Bruno Pésery.
Written by: Denis & Emmanuèle Bernheim.
Director of Photography: Agnès Godard.
Edited by: Nelly Quettier.
Music by: Dickon Hinchliffe.
Released by: Wellspring.
Country of Origin: France. 90 min. Not Rated.
With: Valérie Lemercier & Vincent Lindon.
DVD Special Features: Commentary by Claire Denis and Kent Jones of the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Filmographies. Weblinks. English Subtitles.

It’s the beautiful visuals and atmosphere that dominate Friday Night. Rooftops of Paris at sundown. Sacré-Coeur glowing at night and a peaceful, almost hypnotic, traffic jam establish a romantic mood. Even cigarette smoke drifting out of a cracked car window is sexy. Having just finished packing her apartment to move in with her boyfriend, Laure (Lemércier) is caught in traffic during a transit strike. On an impulse, she offers to give Jean (Lindon), a handsome stranger, a lift. With minimal dialogue, they learn little about each other beside their names. But just like the traffic, the film moves inch by inch and finally loses momentum as Laure and Jean’s impromptu evening becomes drawn out and tedious. There’s a sense of relief when they finally have a fling. Helping greatly to set the mood is the soundtrack. Director Denis has a great ear for music, ranging from Benjamin Britten to the retro “Two Sleepy People” sung by Line Renaud and Dean Martin. Although Lemércier, with a wry Rachel Griffiths smile, offers a quietly engaging performance, ultimately Friday Night lacks scope for its 90-minute length and would been more compelling as a short film. Indeed, this one night stand should have been a quickie.
May 20, 2003

Extras: Director Denis provides many insights into her directorial choices. According to her, the film that most influenced Friday Night is Francis Ford Coppola’s One From the Heart, especially in the casting. Interestingly, her film brings to mind Lost in Translation (directed by Coppola’s daughter Sofia) in its nocturnal atmosphere and creative use of music, though Friday Night lacks Lost’s wistfulness and romance. KT
December 29, 2003