7.6 | / 10 |
Users | 0.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
The troubled Vuillard family comes together after learning the matriarch needs a bone marrow transplant from a blood relative.
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Jean-Paul Roussillon, Anne Consigny, Mathieu Amalric, Melvil PoupaudDrama | 100% |
Foreign | 81% |
Holiday | Insignificant |
Comedy | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1
French: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
English
50GB Blu-ray Disc
Single disc (1 BD)
Region A (locked)
Movie | 4.5 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 4.0 | |
Extras | 3.5 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
Nominated for Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival and winner of a Cesar award for Best Supporting Actor (Jean-Paul Roussillon), Gallic director Arnaud Desplechin's "Un conte de Noël" a.k.a. "A Christmas Tale" (2008) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion. The disc contains a new, supervised and approved by director Arnaud Desplechin, high-definition digital transfer created from a 35mm interpositive. Amongst the supplemental features on the disc are: the director's hour-long documentary "L'aimee" (2007); "Arnaud's Tale", an exclusive new documentary with director Arnaud Desplechin and stars Catherine Deneuve and Mathieu Almaric; and more. A fully illustrated 20-page booklet has been included as well. With optional English subtitles. Region-A "locked".
The unwanted
Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Arnaud Desplechin's A Christmas Tale arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Criterion.
The disc contains a new, supervised and approved by director Arnaud Desplechin, high-definition transfer created from a 35mm interpositive. (Telecine supervisors: Arnaud Desplechin and Amandine Gazaud. Additional telecine supervision: Lee Kline).
This is a solid transfer! Detail is excellent, clarity terrific and contrast levels consistent throughout the entire film. The close-ups, in particular, are lovely (the camera spends a great deal of time studying the faces of the main protagonists). The color-scheme is also very effective - reds, blues, browns, grays, blacks and whites look rich and healthy. Furthermore, I did not detect any disturbing digital artifacts, strong edge-enhancement, or macroblocking patterns. Additionally, the film grain is kept intact. There are no stability issues to report either. Finally, I did not spot any annoying scratches, debris, stains, or dirt. (Note: This is a Region-A "locked" disc. Therefore, unless you have a native Region-A or Region-Free player, you won't be able to access its content).
There is only one audio track on this Blu-ray disc: French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. For the record, Criterion have provided optional English subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they appear inside the image frame.
The audio for A Christmas Tale has been remastered at 24-bit from the original digital audio master files using Pro Tool HD. Unsurprisingly, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 track included on this Blu-ray disc is of exceptionally high quality.
A Christmas Tale is a dialog-heavy film; therefore, surround activity is limited. In fact, the only time the surround channels are active is during a few selected scenes where Henri gets a little bit rowdy. The dialog is crisp and very easy to follow. Also, there are absolutely no pops, cracks or hissings that I noticed whiled viewing the film.
L'aimee - In 2007, Arnaud Desplechin made this hour-long documentary to record the selling of his family home. But L'aimee became much more- an exploration of his father's impressions of the mother he never knew. Portraying family intimacy with fluid, unconventional filmmaking, Laimee in many ways anticipates Desplechin's next feature, A Christmas Tale. Courtesy of Magic Films and Why Not Productions. In French, with optional English subtitles (97 min, 1080/60i).
Arnaud's Tale - in this exclusive new documentary, director Arnaud Desplechin and stars Catherine Deneuve and Mathieu Almaric discuss the making of A Christmas Tale. In English, with optional English subtitles. (36 min, 1080p).
Trailer - the original theatrical trailer for the film. In French, with optional English subtitles. (2 min, 1080p).
American release trailer - In English and French, with optional English subtitles. (3 min, 1080p).
Booklet - a 20-page illustrated booklet containing Phillip Lopate's essay "The Inescapable Family" (the author's most recent books are Two Marriages; Notes on Sontag; and At the End of the Day, as well as stills from the film and technical information about the presentation).
Arnaud Desplechin's A Christmas Tale is a wonderful yet a bit too elaborate character study that some viewers may have a difficult time tolerating. I personally found the dysfunctional Vuillards and their dilemmas fascinating to behold. As expected, Criterion's presentation of the film is excellent. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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