A Christmas Tale (2008)
"Un conte de Noël" (original title)

The Vuillard family is no stranger to physical/mental illness, loss, and banishment. But when the matriarch becomes in need of a transplant, the whole family is forced to come together, emotional baggage and all, just in time for Christmas.

Director:

Arnaud Desplechin

Writers:

Arnaud Desplechin (scenario and dialogue), Emmanuel Bourdieu (scenario and dialogue),

Stars:

Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Roussillon, Anne Consigny

4 wins & 15 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Catherine Deneuve	...	Junon Vuillard
Jean-Paul Roussillon	...	Abel - Junon's husband
Anne Consigny	...	Elizabeth Dédalus - Abel and Junon's oldest child
Mathieu Amalric	...	Henri Vuillard - Abel and Junon's middle child
Melvil Poupaud	...	Ivan Vuillard - - Abel and Junon's youngest child
Hippolyte Girardot	...	Claude Dédalus- Elizabeth's husband
Emmanuelle Devos	...	Faunia - Henri's lover
Chiara Mastroianni	...	Sylvia Vuillard - Ivan's wife
Laurent Capelluto	...	Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin
Emile Berling	...	Paul Dédalus - Elizabeth and Claude's son
Thomas Obled	...	Basile 'Baz' Vuillard - Ivan and Sylvia's son
Clément Obled	...	Baptiste - Ivan and Sylvia's son
Françoise Bertin	...	Rosaimée Vuillard - Abel's mother's girlfriend
Samir Guesmi	...	Spatafora - the family friend at Roubaix
Azize Kabouche	...	Doctor Zraïdi - the oncologist

Storyline

The Vuillard family gathers: Junon and Abel, a daughter Elizabeth and her son Paul, Henri and a girlfriend, Ivan, his wife Sylvia and their young sons, and cousin Simon. Six years before, Elizabeth paid Henri's debts and demanded he never see her again or visit their parents' home. Paul, at 16, has mental problems and faces a clinical exam. Junon learns she needs a bone marrow transplant if she's to live beyond a few months: thus the détente bringing all together. Two family members have compatible marrow, but the spats, fights, cruel words, drunken toasts, and somewhat civilized bad behavior threaten all; plus Junon may simply refuse treatment. Do we know ourselves?

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Plot Keywords:

transplant | christmas | bone marrow transplant | banishment | debt | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Official Sites:

Bac Films [fr] Official site [jp]

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

21 May 2008 (France)

Also Known As:

A Christmas Tale

Filming Locations:

Gare du Nord, Paris 10, Paris, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$63,837 (USA) (14 November 2008)

Gross:

$1,060,602 (USA) (30 January 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Why Not Productions, France 2 Cinéma, Wild Bunch

Technical Specs

Runtime:

150 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Fields Medal, noted as having been won by Elizabeth's husband, is a medal given to a mathematician under 40 who has made a major contribution to the study of Mathematics. Fields Medals are awarded every four years to up to four mathematicians.

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Goofs

When Henri and Faunia sneak out of the house, the camera operator is clearly visible in the door window.

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Quotes

Sylvia - Ivan's wife: When did it happen?
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: What do you mean?
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: I want details. She mentioned a decision you all made. Tell me where and when. Was it here?
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: Easter vacation, 1991. At the community centre. You were next door.
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: I remember. Is Ivan aware of this?
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: It's history.
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: Was Ivan with you? Or did you and Henri decide our fate behind his back?
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: Ivan was there.
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: What did you say?
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: Henri and I were talking about you. Guy talk. Ivan was quiet, smiling. Then he said, "If I don't get her, I'll never get over it."
[...]

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Connections

Features The Ten Commandments (1956)

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Soundtracks

"Lotus Blossom"
"
Written by Billy Strayhorn
Performed by Joe Henderson
Copyright 1968 Music Sales Corporation

User Reviews

A jumbled mess of ennue

Started thinking about 20 minutes in, "when is it all going to come together with some semblance of cohesion and interest?" To me it never did, and was an overlong borefest throughout, with very short takes leading to other very short takes that never got my interest for any.

Never saw any family act the harsh way toward each other that this one did, or talk to each other so carelessly without more mayhem being caused by it than this one did, or showed less love and care for each family member than this one did, even with the mother dying!

Why was this kind of labored film supposed to be the right one to show at Christmas? Maybe Labor Day instead? I sure labored through it unwillingly, and it was sooooo long. And, I love French films! See Cache, For the Love of Others or Amelie instead for great French films, and not this piece of pretty junk.