Monday, February 22, 2010
FAMILY
Today's film was Arnaud Desplechin’s
Un conte de Noël / A Christmas Tale (2008)
with Catherine Deneuve at the center of a rather large, wonderful extended family of somewhat talented, odd and occasionally dysfunctional people.
This is a warm and satisfying film aimed at thinking adults. You have to work a bit to get the angles on the clan and the story but at about half way through it all gels and we become part of the whole scene.
The acting is superb.
This is not necessarily the family I wish I had but it would serve as a good substitute if I had to be part of it.
Chances are good that some of what goes on goes on with them goes on with me.
I do not mean to create the idea that this is a family circus by any means. These are solid citizens with substantial lives. They just do not mix as well or as easily as one might assume.
Deneuve stands at the center with her older husband, the estimable Jean-Paul Roussillon. I liked it very much and would like to see it again.
I have seen other films by Desplechin and could return to them all together.
I will give it a 4 out of Netflix5.
Labels: films
