| In Arnaud Desplechin's beguiIing A Christmas Tale , Catherine Deneuve brings her legendary poise to the roIe of Junon, matriarch of the troubled Vuillard family, who come together at Christmas after she Iearns she needs a bone marrow transpIant from a blood relative. That simpIe famiIy reunion setup, however, can't begin to describe the unpredictable, 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. |