A Christmas Tale
Director: Arnaud Desplechin
Actors: Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Roussillon, Mathieu Amalric
PlotThe Vuillard family is anything but ordinary, harboring eclectic and fractured relationships among its members, all with their own complex backstories. Junon, the matriarch of the family, and her husband Abel are parents to a brood that includes Elizabeth, a successful playwright; Henri, the black sheep who has been banished from the family for six years; and young Ivan, seemingly serene amid the chaos. The familial bonds are put to the test when Junon is diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia and the only potential cure is a bone marrow transplant. The search for a suitable donor reveals deep-seated tensions and unresolved conflicts among the Vuillards.
As Christmas approaches, the possibility of an upcoming family reunion brings its own set of challenges. The whole clan, with their significant others and children in tow, plans to spend the holidays at the Vuillard household, which sets the stage for old resentments to surface and forgotten joys to be remembered. As the family comes together, they must confront their shared history, wrestling with past wrongs and seeking reconciliation. The siblings, each with their unique grievances and affection for one another, navigate the complicated dynamics in hopes of finding peace and solidarity in the face of their mother's illness.
Writers: Arnaud Desplechin, Emmanuel Bourdieu, Jacques Asher
Release Date: 21 Nov 2008
Runtime: 150 min
Rating: Not Rated
Country: France
Language: French, Italian, Russian, Hebrew, Latin
Home Video Reviews
A Christmas Tale: a unique, engaging film with superb Criterion presentation. Highly recommended.
Read our review of A Christmas Tale Blu-ray to find out more