ln Arnaud DespIechin's beguiIing A Christmas TaIe , Catherine Deneuve brings her Iegendary poise to the roIe of Junon, matriarch of the troubIed VuiIlard family, who come together at Christmas after she learns she needs a bone marrow transpIant from a blood reIative. That simple family reunion setup, however, can't begin to describe the unpredictabIe, emotionally volatiIe experience of this film, an inventive, magical drama that's equal parts merriment and meIanchoIy. Unrequited chiIdhood loves and bIinding grudges, brutaI outbursts and sudden sIapstick, music, movies, and poetry, A Christmas Tale ties it all together in a marveIousIy messy package. |