La Bûche (1999)

70% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
58% of users liked it
(792 ratings)

Noted French screenwriter Daniele Thompson makes her directorial debut with this lighthearted romantic comedy. After the December 21st funeral of Yvette's (Francoise Fabian) second husband, she is consoled by the three daughters from her first marriage to Stanislas (Claude Rich), a Russian-Jewish… More Noted French screenwriter Daniele Thompson makes her directorial debut with this lighthearted romantic comedy. After the December 21st funeral of Yvette's (Francoise Fabian) second husband, she is consoled by the three daughters from her first marriage to Stanislas (Claude Rich), a Russian-Jewish violinist. The oldest, Lorba (Sabine Azema), lives with her father and makes a living by singing ballads in a Russian cabaret, Sonia (Emmanuelle Beart) is a fastidious middle-class housewife, and Yvette's youngest, Milla (Charlotte Gainsbourg), is a go-getting businesswoman. As Christmas celebrations gather steam, Louba learns that at age 42, she is unexpectedly pregnant by Gilbert, her married lover of 12 years. Meanwhile, Sonia develops a habit of taking five-finger discounts while shopping, and Milla takes up with a mysterious drifter who lives as a boarder in Stanislas' house. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 47 min.
Directed By: Danièle Thompson
Written By: Christopher Thompson, Danièle Thompson
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jan 1, 1999 Wide
On DVD: May 24, 2002
Studio: Pathé

Critic Reviews

Charles Ealy, Dallas Morning News
There's little originality.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
Elegantly folds together multiple storylines ... into a confection that is ultimately better because of its bitterness.
Edward Guthmann, San Francisco Chronicle
The tone is light, the Michel Legrand music is high in calories and the result is a very handsome, well-appointed soap opera.
Amy Taubin, Village Voice
Thompson keeps her focus (and ours) on the actors, most of whom have never been as luminous as they are here.
A.O. Scott, New York Times
Even if you hate everything about the holidays -- and especially if you hate the kind of movies that herald them -- you will find much to love in La Bûche.
James Berardinelli, ReelViews
Never quite escapes from the familiar melodramatic cavern in which it becomes trapped.
Phil Hall, Daily-Reviews
Christmas with a dysfunctional family, French-style.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
A very staid drama with no sense of irony.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
Takes familiar material and gives it texture, subtlety and refinement.
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A French film about the terrible fallout from some family secrets.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
This sort of Home for the Holidays fare is hardly new, and most of us get enough of it in real life.
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times
Sparklingly acted by a fine ensemble cast.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
A fine achievement along the lines of Jodie Foster's Home for the Holidays.
Rod Armstrong, Reel.com
Skirts most of the usual pitfalls of the genre while telling a compelling and enjoyable story of love, infidelity, and the ties that bind.
Kim Morgan, Oregonian
Life-affirming, touching and funny.