35 Shots of Rum (2008): Claire Denis Intimate, Poetic Tale of Family Ties (Father-Daughter) (AMOUR)

One of the Best Films of the 21St Century (as of July 2025)

In making 35 Shots of Rum, Gallic director Claire Denis was inspired by Yasujirō Ozu’s film Late Spring, as well as a relationship between her own mother and grandfather. She wrote the screenplay with Jean-Pol Fargeau.

Displaying poetic realism, 35 Shots of Rum is another enchanting film from the Denis (“Beau Travail”), still inexcusably one of the least known French filmmakers in the U.S.

Grade: A- (****1/2* out of *****)

Shots of Rum
Theatrical film poster

Set among a small circle of friends and neighbors in a Parisian suburb, the tale centers on Lionel (Alex Descas), a metro conductor, who lives with his beautiful university student daughter Josephine (Mati Diop) in a bustling apartment complex.

They have shared the same space for many years and have grown accustomed to one another’s company.

Lately, though, Josephine has been spending time with Noé (Gregoire Colin), a handsome young neighbor, while Lionel is finding himself drawn into a romance with his close friend Gabrielle.

A single dad working as train driver in Paris, he’s raised his kid by himself since she was little, and slowly watches as a mutual attraction develops between her and a young man from their neighborhood.

He must eventually come to terms with his girl leaving the nest, which calls for the ceremonial shots of rum that signals the end of one era and the beginning of the next.

As their lives are pulled in different directions, father and daughter realize they must confront an aspect of their past in order to embrace what lies ahead.

Lionel and his girlfriend Gabrielle (Nicole Dogue) work in professions that are based on movement (she is a taxi driver), and the whole movie exhibits a circling, inevitable movement.

Sumptuously filmed by ace lenser Agnes Godard, this delicate, understated film deals with the issue of the difficulties involved in letting go of family ties, even when they are dictated by the natural progress of time.

Ambivalence is the name of the game: Lionel wishes Josephine would stay at home longer, and for her part, though needing to move on, Josephine knows that she will never again experience the kind of intimacy that she had shared with her father as a child.

35 SHOTS OF RUM, (aka 35 RHUMS), Alex Descas, 2008. ©The Cinema Guild/Courtesy Everett Collection

The Cinema Guild/Everett Collection

The liquor in the title, “35 Shots of Rum” also signifies a rich, complex, graceful film that casts its spell as it unfolds, while after leaving lingering images after it’s over, including he memorable use of the Commodores’ popular song, “Night Shift.”

Like all of the director’s work, this tender tale of familial affection relies on great attention to details, suggesting that silences could be more meaningful than words.

The film world premiered out of competition at the 2008 Venice Film Fest and later played at the New York Film Fest.

Critical Status:

Sight & Sound included the film on its list of “30 Great Films of the 2000s”

Films of Similar Interest:

It will serve as a great companion piece to Maurice Pialat’s masterpiece, A Nos Amours, which also depicts a uniquely intimate relationship between father and daughter.

Credits

Running time: 100 Minutes

Budget: $4.0 Million (estimated)