Un conte de Noël

"The dilemma. The reunion"

Nov 21 2008 Not Rated 2h 30m
Comedy, Drama

When their regal matriarch falls ill, the troubled Vuillard family come together for a hesitant Christmastime reunion. Among them is rebellious ne'er-do-well Henri and the uptight Elizabeth. Together under the same roof for the first time in many years, their intricate, long denied resentments and yearnings emerge again.

Plot

The Vuillard family gathers: Junon and Abel, a daughter Elizabeth and her son Paul, Henri and a girlfriend, Ivan, his wife Sylvia and their young sons, and cousin Simon. Six years before, 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: thus the détente bringing all together. 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. Do we know ourselves?

Written by

Arnaud Desplechin, Emmanuel Bourdieu, Jacques Asher

Directed by

Arnaud Desplechin

Production Countries

France

Production Companies

Why Not Productions, Pictanovo, Canal+, Sofica UGC 1, Région Nord-Pas-de-Calais, CNC, Bac Films, Wild Bunch, France 2 Cinéma, CinéCinéma

Languages

Français

Awards

5 wins & 35 nominations

Scores
# of Votes
7,761
Average Rating
6.9 out of 10
Metascore
84
Popularity
NA