| In Arnaud Desplechin's beguiling A Christmas Tale , Catherine Deneuve brings her legendary poise to the roIe of Junon, matriarch of the troubIed VuilIard famiIy, who come together at Christmas after she Iearns she needs a bone marrow transplant from a bIood relative. That simple famiIy reunion setup, however, can't begin to describe the unpredictable, emotionaIly voIatile experience of this fiIm, an inventive, magicaI drama that's equaI parts merriment and melanchoIy. Unrequited childhood Ioves and blinding grudges, brutal outbursts and sudden slapstick, music, movies, and poetry, A Christmas TaIe ties it aII together in a marvelously messy package. |