I’ve had Force Majeure on my watch list since it was released in 2014. That is a longish list, and I consult it sporadically, so it wasn’t until this weekend that I realized it was available on Netflix. It was just as compelling as I expected, and much funnier.

I had forgotten how much I enjoy European movies. The dialog is very natural, requiring the viewer to figure out relationship dynamics. The shot-framing shows the filmmaker’s focus topic, including, in this case, long seconds of snowfall or empty hotel corridors. Subtlety abounds, both visual and dramatic; I’m sure if I watched it again, I would find things I missed. There is time to process events.

Spoiler alert: the titular cataclysm, an avalanche, is a pipsqueak, except in its effect on the vacationing family. This was almost a disappointment at the time, as I had a very American expectation of seeing some major CG effects. This particular avalanche was perfect for this movie, though, and I quickly grew to appreciate it.

American movies, which I also enjoy, tend to be tell-don’t-show, filled with closeups of the stars and slo-mo action shots, with all relationship ambiguities resolved and lots of just-in-time rescues. Don’t overthink it, just buckle up and enjoy.

There are exceptions: Boyhood is one.

Since the days of M.A.S.H., I have felt that a very good movie is better than any television show, and this movie certainly qualifies. Watching a carefully crafted movie, as opposed to a blockbuster, is just as satisfying to me as reading a carefully crafted novel. A TV series is often derivative, and even if it isn’t, it tends to sprawl.

I know there are exceptions to this as well.

The purpose of a watch list, in case you are wondering, is to avoid spending too much time trolling through screens, menus, and trailers trying to answer the question, What should we watch? For me, this is the most annoying first-world time-waster of the 21st century. I try very hard not to turn on the TV until I have a plan, but when the plan fails, I consult the list.