The films of Desplechin, an established French author, have always loved to explore the human soul and interpersonal, couple and family relationships. A Christmas Tale , his most successful and mature work, was the pinnacle of this type of narrative. Today he meets great literature and the result is surprising.

Starting from a Roth novel written with only dialogues Desplechin opens spaces, breaks down walls and transports his characters to infinite places suspended between reality and the unconscious . He uses the camera and the direction as a highlighter of the most important sentences pronounced by the protagonists, in this incessant flow of reflections and dialectical clashes on the vision of life as a couple.

At times perhaps too cerebral, it requires a profound attention from the viewer and yet once you connect you can never leave. Because Desplechin's direction embraces us and no longer leaves us in a labyrinth of reflections, characters and moments.

Extraordinary cast led by Lea Seydoux who is increasingly the leading lady of French cinema and certainly the best actress of the. Her generation. This time too he spares nothing. Great. Just like Denis Podalydes, star performer on stage, alter ego of the writer and director, engaged in very demanding monologues and dialogues.

Presented at Cannes last year in a non-competitive section, the film probably would have deserved the competition. Worth seeing to reflect starting from the awareness that you won't have a light evening.

Already published on www.cineriflessi.blogfree.net