Good review, A. You're missing out on one of the best films of the 90's in Beau Travail. That's the film where Denis decided to let her poetic images become the language of her narratives, and she hasn't really looked back. 

I consider Vendredi Soir a minor effort by her standards, but it certainly deserves to be seen. A couple of other great film from her are, Nnette et Boni and No Fear, No Die. Her 1994 effort I Can't Sleep is a personal favorite.