A Christmas Tale
– When their regal matriarch falls ill, the troubled Vuillard family come together for a hesitant Chri..
When their regal matriarch falls ill, the troubled Vuillard family come together for a hesitant Christmastime reunion. Among them is rebellious ne'er-do-well Henri and the uptight Elizabeth. Together under the same roof for the first time in many years, their intricate, long denied resentments and yearnings emerge again.
21 Nov 2008
French
Arnaud Desplechin
Arnaud Desplechin (scenario and dialogue), Emmanuel Bourdieu (scenario and dialogue), Jacques Asher (inspired by: "La Greffe"), Jean-Pierre Jouet (inspired by: "La Greffe")
Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Roussillon, Anne Consigny, Mathieu Amalric
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?
5 wins & 34 nominations.
IFC Films