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Claude Rich, Francoise Fabian, Sabine Azéma, Emmanuelle Béart, Charlotte Gainsbourg ... see more see more... , Jean-Pierre Darroussin , Christopher Thompson , Isabelle Carré

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 con... read more read more...soled 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

Flixster Users

58% liked it

791 ratings

Critics

70% liked it

20 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 47 min.

Directed by: Daničle Thompson

Release Date: January 1, 1999

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DVD Release Date: May 24, 2002

Stats: 54 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (54)

  • catlyst
    December 20, 2011
    catlyst
    a very nicely textured russian-french-jewish christmas family drama. good performances by all, especially the father. music by my fave legrand is charming too.
  • Lissa420
    October 12, 2007
    Lissa420
    What better time to find out you have a brother you never knew about, than the holidays!
    This is a humorous French movie about a family that discovers secrets about each other and about themselves just in time for Christmas.
    I thought it was strange that all the Christmas songs ... read morewere in English though.
    The three daughters Louba, Sonia, and Milla all lead different lives but come to understand each other more after their step-father dies.
    Louba sings at a Russian restaurant (beautifully by the way) and is having an affair with a married man for the past 12 years.
    Sonia is rich and snobby and while everyone thinks she is perfect, her marriage is falling apart with its own affair.
    Milla is the youngest and the most rebellious. She says she tends to scare men off when she just wants to be loved.
    This movie is really funny.
    Even though their father has slept with a lot of women and produced a son he thought he kept hidden from his family, he still wants a happy Christmas.
    If you like movies about dysfunctional families and want to watch one that is more comedy than drama, you might enjoy this one!

View All La Būche Reviews

Critic Reviews

Charles Ealy
April 18, 2002
Charles Ealy, Dallas Morning News

There's little originality. Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan
December 21, 2001
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

Elegantly folds together multiple storylines ... into a confection that is ultimately better because of its bitterness.

Edward Guthmann
November 30, 2001
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. Full Review

Amy Taubin
August 15, 2001
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. Full Review

A.O. Scott
February 21, 2001
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 Būche. Full Review

James Berardinelli
February 21, 2001
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

Never quite escapes from the familiar melodramatic cavern in which it becomes trapped. Full Review

Kevin Thomas
February 21, 2001
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

This holiday treat of a movie is hard to resist. Full Review

Phil Hall
December 23, 2002
Phil Hall, Daily-Reviews

Christmas with a dysfunctional family, French-style.

Christopher Null
June 1, 2002
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

A very staid drama with no sense of irony. Full Review

Frank Swietek
April 27, 2002
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion

Takes familiar material and gives it texture, subtlety and refinement. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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