The troubled Vuillard family is no stranger to illness, grief, and banishment, but when their matriarch requires a bone-marrow transplant, the estranged clan reunites just in time for Christ... Read allThe troubled Vuillard family is no stranger to illness, grief, and banishment, but when their matriarch requires a bone-marrow transplant, the estranged clan reunites just in time for Christmas.The troubled Vuillard family is no stranger to illness, grief, and banishment, but when their matriarch requires a bone-marrow transplant, the estranged clan reunites just in time for Christmas.
- Awards
- 5 wins & 35 nominations
- L'avocat d'Henri
- (as a different name)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Fields Medal, noted as having been won by Elizabeth's husband, is a medal given to a mathematician under 40 who has made a major contribution to the study of Mathematics. Fields Medals are awarded every four years to up to four mathematicians.
- GoofsThe opening narration notes that Joseph was born in 1965, and that he died at age 6. However, we later see that his headstone gives 1968 as his year of death.
- Quotes
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: When did it happen?
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: What do you mean?
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: I want details. She mentioned a decision you all made. Tell me where and when. Was it here?
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: Easter vacation, 1991. At the community centre. You were next door.
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: I remember. Is Ivan aware of this?
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: It's history.
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: Was Ivan with you? Or did you and Henri decide our fate behind his back?
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: Ivan was there.
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: What did you say?
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: Henri and I were talking about you. Guy talk. Ivan was quiet, smiling. Then he said, "If I don't get her, I'll never get over it."
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: What did you reply?
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: I can't remember. "She's right for you."
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: Exactly! The exact words!
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: "Take her, she's yours."
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: I'm not to be given, like a camel or a goat.
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: I didn't give you. I was 27. An idiot. I was hollow. Still am.
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: Did you love me?
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: Yes.
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: Do you love me?
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: Yes.
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: Scumbag! You're part of the game! By choosing for me, you played.
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: I was right. Ivan loved you infinitely.
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: It's your love that was infinite. You played my hand and you cheated. Now I'll never know my life. It's not mine. I wasn't free to prefer Ivan.
Simon - Junon's nephew - the painter cousin: Henri was there, too.
Sylvia - Ivan's wife: It's not the same. You really love me. Henri wanted sex, and got it. For 10 years, you've had no life. You're pathetic in your studio. You don't talk. You're sad. You spend Sundays doing the dishes, stealing glances, avoiding my kids. You're a failure, clinging to the Vuillards. You never got over me.
- ConnectionsFeatured in WatchMojo: Another Top 10 Best Christmas Movies of All Time (2017)
There's far too much plot, some of it quite banal, some of it very interesting. The film is well executed and acted, but it's also distant and cold. I never felt vested in anything that happened to these people, and I greeted the ending with the curiosity of one who has spent a lot of time with something and simply wants to finish it rather than with any real concern for what the ending would be.
"A Christmas Tale" falls into the trap of too many family dysfunction dramas: We all have our own families to deal with in real life, so if we're going to spend 2-3 hours listening to the petty whining of someone else's, it better damn well be worth our time.
Grade: B
- evanston_dad
- Dec 29, 2009
- Permalink
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Also known as
- Câu Chuyện Giáng Sinh
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $1,060,922
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $63,837
- Nov 16, 2008
- Gross worldwide
- $7,356,393
- Runtime2 hours 30 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1