Un conte de Noel (A Christmas Tale) is a French film from director Arnaud Desplechin starring Catherine Deneuve, Anne Consigny, Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Devos, and many others. The film revolves around the exploits of the dysfunctional Vuillard family and their attempt at reconcilation through their mother's cancer over the Christmas holiday.
I came out of this film knowing something about myself and movies: I enjoy a simple movie that is well done. It's kind of how I look at architecture; its so difficult to do a simple building well, so why do we make vain attempts at complexity? Let's get the simple stuff down first. A Christmas Tale seems to me to be a complex movie, probably because its subject matter (the Vuillard family) is so complex. There were times that I got lost due to a character's actions or because of the film's narrative choices. The multiple sub plots got mixed up with the main plot, everything just got muddled. Kinsey used one word to describe the film: boring.
I came out of this film knowing something about myself and movies: I enjoy a simple movie that is well done. It's kind of how I look at architecture; its so difficult to do a simple building well, so why do we make vain attempts at complexity? Let's get the simple stuff down first. A Christmas Tale seems to me to be a complex movie, probably because its subject matter (the Vuillard family) is so complex. There were times that I got lost due to a character's actions or because of the film's narrative choices. The multiple sub plots got mixed up with the main plot, everything just got muddled. Kinsey used one word to describe the film: boring.
Now I know directors, especially progressive directors like Arnaud Desplechin, are still going to make films with complex themes and narratives, but that doesn't mean they're going to turn out well or that I'm going to like them. That's why I didn't like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button or Synecdoche, NY. And I really wanted to like both those films, and A Christmas Tale. I don't fault them for trying, but it takes a lot for these types of films to work for me.
Two more things I came out of this film knowing: that Mathieu Amalric is quickly becoming one of my favorite actors, and that Catherine Deneuve still looks great at 66.
Kinsey: 2 stars
Wade: 2.5 stars
I have to say that I am still JEALOUS that you guys got to see this film! even if you did give it two stars. I've been wanting to see it since it came out in theaters.
ReplyDeleteby the way..who's sexy voice co-stared in your ben button review? lol
;)
Tara