The English title is a good one, as despite the great opening scenes in Paris, it really is a film about how people deal with the extra stress Christmas seems to bring, or as the characters describe it, a "hostile depression". I could enjoy seeing this as a Christmas tradition! My rating is actually a 7.5, if that was an option. The film is a little understated, in that typically French way.I like the way the actors do a reminiscence directly to the camera and the audience, especially Francoise Fabian and Claude Rich, who play the couple who have been split up for 25 years but who have not seen each other since, even though they have 3 daughters.I also liked Sabine Azema, who I just realized I had seen very recently in Coeurs (2006)... aka Private Fears in Public Places... as Charlotte, and didn't even recognize her. Claude Rich does the voice for Arthur. While Charlotte's character is interesting, I couldn't recommend Coeurs.La Buche, however, yes.

Tender, real, funny memorable, are words that describe this film to me. The first time I saw it, it was only the end of it, but that was enough to let me know this will be a favorite. Maybe I am not such an expert, but it has the elements a film must have to be in my memory.

Interesting look at individual family members as they approach the dreaded Christmas Holidays. Nothing is as it seems and everyone's issues have deep roots. Well lit and filmed the film is a little long and slow in places but worth a look.

Anyone expecting a bright clever and fresh comedy here will be seriously disappointed. This is french cinema at its worst : boring (and soooo predictable) plot, unimaginative direction, overwritten dialogue and a bunch of brilliant actors unable to make us believe in their characters (with the notable exceptions of Claude Risch and Charlotte Gainsbourg). Some entertaining moments won't disguise the fact that this is a huge disappointment... Too bad really.