A Christmas Tale (Un conte de Noël) 2008 DVD In French with optional English subtitles Shown in original aspect ratio 2.35:1 Approx. 2 hr 32 min. Region One - Playable in the US, Canada, Mexico, etc. Beautiful print!
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Roussillon, Anne Consigny, Mathieu Amalric, Melvil Poupaud Written by Arnaud Desplechin and Emmanuel Bourdieu, inspired by "La Greffe" by Jacques Asher and Jean-Pierre Jouet. Directed by Arnaud Desplechin.
The Vuillard family gathers: Junon (Catherine Deneuve) and Abel (Jean-Paul Roussillon), a daughter Elizabeth (Anne Consign) and her son Paul (Emile Berling), Henri (Mathieu Amalric) and a girlfriend (Emmanuelle Devos), Ivan (Melvil Poupaud), his wife Sylvia (Chiara Mastroianni - Catherine Deneuve’s real-life daughter) and their young sons, and cousin Simon (Laurent Capelluto). Six years earlier, 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: and the détente bringing all together begins. 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.
To quote Henri, ”Don’t act beyond your capacity to repair.”
Ah… family. A Christmas Tale ties it all together in a marvelously messy package.
“In Arnaud Desplechin's beguiling a Christmas Tale (Un conte de Noël), Catherine Deneuve brings her legendary poise to the role of Junon. “