If you hate Christmas and think that love and family are as fleeting as the wind, then I sure have a recommendation for you--"La Bûche". It's thoroughly unpleasant and a cynic's idea of comedy. I noticed other reviewers generally loved this film, though I really have no idea why. I'd rather shove my head into a gas oven than see this one again!!
The film begins at a funeral. Yvette's husband has died and her three daughters from a previous marriage have arrived at the graveside to be with her. Over the course of the film, you learn that EVERYONE in the film--not just Yvette and her family but EVERYONE is selfish, cheats on their spouses and are emotional messes. All are self-involved and foolish and for some reason with this death and Christmas just a few days away, folks start to reminisce--though for the most part, what they look back on was only temporary and a charade. Now here's the weird part--no one takes relationships seriously in this film and everyone is self-absorbed, yet it is somehow supposed to be funny and uplifting! What's funny and uplifting about a woman who has been having an affair with a married man for 12 years and is now pregnant (while the man's wife is ALSO pregnant)? What's funny and uplifting about a divorced couple who finally sit down together after decades of animosity and discuss all the affairs they had while they were married? And, what's funny and uplifting about a couple who appear happy, successful and have a young child--yet are splitting up at Christmas? The only positive thing I can say about this film is that the acting was very good. The story, on the other hand, is only enjoyable if you hate family, hate Christmas and assume everyone is a cheat.
God bless us, everyone!
The film begins at a funeral. Yvette's husband has died and her three daughters from a previous marriage have arrived at the graveside to be with her. Over the course of the film, you learn that EVERYONE in the film--not just Yvette and her family but EVERYONE is selfish, cheats on their spouses and are emotional messes. All are self-involved and foolish and for some reason with this death and Christmas just a few days away, folks start to reminisce--though for the most part, what they look back on was only temporary and a charade. Now here's the weird part--no one takes relationships seriously in this film and everyone is self-absorbed, yet it is somehow supposed to be funny and uplifting! What's funny and uplifting about a woman who has been having an affair with a married man for 12 years and is now pregnant (while the man's wife is ALSO pregnant)? What's funny and uplifting about a divorced couple who finally sit down together after decades of animosity and discuss all the affairs they had while they were married? And, what's funny and uplifting about a couple who appear happy, successful and have a young child--yet are splitting up at Christmas? The only positive thing I can say about this film is that the acting was very good. The story, on the other hand, is only enjoyable if you hate family, hate Christmas and assume everyone is a cheat.
God bless us, everyone!