Un conte de Noël

Eräs joulutarina / En julberättelse. FR (c) 2008 Why Not Productions + three other companies. D: Arnaud Desplechin. SC: AD, Emmanuel Bourdieu. DP: Eric Gautier - a 35mm colour film print at 2,35:1 from a digital intermediate. LOC: ?Rouen?. CAST: Catherine Deneuve (Junon), Mathieu Amalric (Henri), Jean-Paul Roussillon (Abel), Anne Consigny (Elizabeth), Emmanuelle Devos (Faunia), Chiara Mastroianni (Sylvia). 155 min. A Cinema Mondo release with Finnish / Swedish subtitles by Outi Kainulainen / Joanna Erkkilä. Viewed at Maxim 2, Helsinki, 28 Nov 2008. - A beautiful transfer with no annoying digital limitations, warm and vibrant colour, a fine softness of texture. - The compilation on the soundtrack a pleasant mix of classical and jazz. - A big, original and tough story of a dysfunctional family which faces issues including cancer and sibling feud of the severest kind. There are the several generations and the many lifestyles that are impossible to reconcile, yet an attempt is made at Christmas time. The prodigal son (Henri) is needed for his bone marrow to save his mother (Junon). - The actors are very good, and the director's grip is assured in this story of love and war within the dysfunctional family. - I admired the warmth of Eric Gautier's cinematography in the big ensemble scenes.