'Un Conte 'de Noel',or as it's being distributed in the U.S.A. as 'A Christmas Tale' is a very well written,directed & acted out drama, with some minor touches of comedy,but is NOT a all out comedy as it is being touted in the somewhat misleading trailer for the film. It is a tale of a highly dysfunctional French upper middle class family with enough head cases to keep any psychologist/analyst rolling in Euros for a life time. The cast is headed by a radiant Catherine Denuve (as usual)as the head of the household,who has just found out she has a potentially fatal form of bone cancer,and only a bone marrow transplant from a family member may be the only saving grace for her. The only problem: most of her children royally hate one another. The possibilities for a family reunion at Christmas only makes for a possible meltdown. The screenplay may remind one of elements of James Joyce,as well as Antonin Chekov (especially the use of metaphors,such as the occasional use of traditional Irish music on the soundtrack,as well as one of the characters who is ironically named Ivan. The film's rather long running time (two & a half hours)may remind one of certain stage plays by Irish playwright,Brian Freil (but there isn't a slack moment in the entire film---at least I didn't think so). This is a smart,cutting film that is worth seeking out. As this is an import,and is being carried by a small,independent distributor,there is no MPAA rating, but would fare little more than an PG-13 for a bit of raunchy language,some adult situations & a rather uncomfortable scene in a hospital,involving a bone marrow transplant. You may want to think twice about bringing young children (who would probably be bored with reading English subtitles,anyway)
Review of A Christmas Tale
