A Christmas Tale (2008)

MOVIEmeter

SEE RANK

Down 1,152 this week

View rank on IMDbPro »

150 min - Comedy | Drama - 21 May 2008 (France)

7.1

Ratings: 7.1/10 from 3,263 users Metascore: 84/100
Reviews: 23 user | 123 critic | 32 from Metacritic.com

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 and Mathieu Amalric

Watch Trailer

Loading Watchlist

View Watchlist »

New List

Still of Catherine Deneuve, Mathieu Amalric and Jean-Paul Roussillon in A Christmas Tale

Still of Chiara Mastroianni and Melvil Poupaud in A Christmas Tale

Still of Arnaud Desplechin in A Christmas Tale

Still of Catherine Deneuve and Mathieu Amalric in A Christmas Tale

Still of Laurent Capelluto and Chiara Mastroianni in A Christmas Tale

Still of Mathieu Amalric in A Christmas Tale

10 photos | | 360 news articles | full cast and crew »

ad feedback

Quick Links:

See IMDb's coverage of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival

Create a list »

Related Lists

Great French Films

a list of 254 titles by KMairowitz created 9 months ago

Great Films (2000-2009)

a list of 140 titles by KMairowitz created 4 months ago

Meus filmes

a list of 730 titles by bibiana-lucas created 3 months ago

My top 10

a list of 10 titles by PrincesseDesMarees created 7 months ago

My Prized Collection

a list of 220 titles by prashantdixit created 4 days ago

See all 155 related lists »

4 wins & 14 nominations See more awards »

Cast

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

Full cast and crew »

Edit

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? Written by <jhailey@hotmail.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

Genres:

Comedy | Drama

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »

Edit

Details

Release Date:

21 May 2008 (France) See more »

Also Known As:

Um Conto de Natal See more »

Filming Locations:

Roubaix, Nord, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$63,837 (USA) (16 November 2008) (7 Screens)

Gross:

$1,060,602 (USA) (1 February 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Why Not Productions, France 2 Cinéma, Wild Bunch See more »

Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

France: 150 min | USA: 150 min | Argentina: 150 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

See full technical specs »

Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia

Faunia (Emmanuelle Devos) is compared physically twice to Angela Bassett. See more »

Goofs

Continuity: While Henri is at the barber shop being shaven, the shaving cream appears and disappears from his upper lip between shots. See more »

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."
[...]
See more »

Connections

Features Funny Face (1957) See more »