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

One of Best Films of 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 the relationship between her own mother and grandfather.

To balance the perspectives, she co-wrote the screenplay with Jean-Pol Fargeau.

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

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

35 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 student daughter Josephine (Mati Diop) in a bustling apartment complex.

As they have shared the same space for many years, they 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 now slowly observing the mutual attraction between her and the youngster from their neighborhood.

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

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

Since Lionel and his girlfriend Gabrielle (Nicole Dogue) work in professions based on movement (she is a taxi driver), the 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 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” signifies a richly complex and graceful film that casts its spell as it unfolds. One of its lingering images involves the 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–silences are often 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:

35 Shots of Rum serves 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)