A Christmas Tale

Marxists would have terrific fun with this film. All the physical and mental deterioration on show would point to the inherent weakness and decline of the haute bourgeoisie, as would the incessant bickering and fighting. It certainly lends itself to such an interpretation but it also works as a family melodrama, albeit one full of visual flourishes and nods to cinema history. It's also the sort of the film that only the French ever seem to carry off. The cast is top notch and the attention is evenly spread. Juno, the mother, not only has a potentially fatal illness that may be alleviated by a bone marrow transplant from a family member, but it turns out has never really loved her children. Elizabeth, the eldest, is aloof, bitter and overprotective of her son. She has also in effect banished middle child Henri from her presence. When Henri isn't causing a drunken scene, he seems to be involved in fights with everyone else (his brother-in-law beats him up almost immediately upon arrival) and enjoys telling everyone how much he *doesn't* love his mother. The youngest child Ivan had a breakdown at 15 but now seems to be the most well-adjusted of the lot. Paul, Elizabeth's teenage son, also appears to be suffering a breakdown but her reaction is very different to that offered to the young Ivan. Even Ivan's lively little boys have a worryingly hollow-eyed look. This is clearly not a "healthy" family on any level, certainly not in comparison to Henri's pragmatic, cheerful, Jewish girlfriend (who wisely departs before the Christmas celebration itself). Throw in secret love, a long-dead son and a family Christmas and it's an extremely entertaining experience.