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Review #71 of 365
Film: Joyeux Noël [PG-13] 116 minutes
WIP: $14.50
When 1st Seen: 22 March 2006
Where Viewed: Chez Artiste, Denver, CO
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Review Dedicated to: Donna P. of Albert Lea, MN
 | ![Philippe Rombi - Merry Christmas (Joyeux Noël) [Original Soundtrack]](http://ax.phobos.apple.com.edgesuite.net/images/badgeitunes61x15dark.gif){kind=small} |
DVD | soundtrack |
It has been a long time since a movie jerked me to tears barely half way through. In fact, believe it or not, the last film to do so was the 1991 Macaulay Culkin / Anna Chlumsky film My Girl. Well, Joyeux Noël had the same effect. Upon reflection, I estimate the chief lacrimating factor of the film was of a dual nature. First, the events and circumstances faced by the characters in the story, and the second is the growing feeling in my soul that there is something deeply wrong with a society/culture etc. that solves its problems with war. I was stunned, in fact, that a story of three factions of troops: one French, one German, and one Scottish who find themselves on the brink of mutual annihilation on Christmas Eve, 1914, could feel so timely, urgent, and essential to me today. The premise of the story comes from actual events of WWI that evening when there was fraternization among opposing troops along enemy lines in France. Honestly, I do not wish to write anything that would ruin the moment in the film for others that brought me over the emotional hump and set loose the flood gates, so I will be somewhat vague in spots of this review therefore. Suffice it to say that in this film you may learn more about the potential for real humanity from three opposing bands of war-hardened soldiers than nearly any other source I can imagine.
The film itself is beautifully written and directed by Christian Carion. Utilizing the relatively small confines of the trenches of the three troop factions in close proximity, he has created a vision of cinematic grandeur interrupted, occasionally, by the omnipresent tension of the war. We meet some of the soldiers and their leaders before the night the story takes place, and everything we learn of them, cleverly, works on our consciences and makes us not only see them as the human beings they are but to genuinely care for them, those they love, and their families. Chief among these were the French, Scottish, and German Lieutenants respectively: Audebert (Guillaume Canet), Gordon (Alex Ferns), and Horstmayer (Daniel Brühl). All three were perfectly cast and magnificent in their roles. As the leaders of their troops, it was up to these three to determine the fate of all of their loyal men. The events of the evening, therefore, were also strictly up to them. As we get to know more and more about each one, though, it becomes increasingly more and more difficult to comprehend how each has even become involved with this ghastly war in the first place. What cruel twist of fate brought them into this deadly conflict? The essential question changes, however, from "What drives a man to take up arms and fight a war?" at the beginning of the film to "How does a true man reconcile the actions he commits on behalf of his government during a war with what he knows is not right in his heart?" by the end of the film. For me, mentally wrestling with this question became the needle in my mind that has continued to irritate like the sand in an oyster. Ultimately, however, I doubt a pearl will emerge from my mind’s defensive layers built up to prevent the real pain of realization that no matter what the justification given, war cannot be morally defended. Instead, I suspect what will be left behind is rather a scar of realization that must never be forgotten. This film had a profound impact on me, the kind of impact I anticipate from Best Picture nominees. In my mind, it fits in that category. It is a profoundly impacting story and film.
The film itself is beautifully written and directed by Christian Carion. Utilizing the relatively small confines of the trenches of the three troop factions in close proximity, he has created a vision of cinematic grandeur interrupted, occasionally, by the omnipresent tension of the war. We meet some of the soldiers and their leaders before the night the story takes place, and everything we learn of them, cleverly, works on our consciences and makes us not only see them as the human beings they are but to genuinely care for them, those they love, and their families. Chief among these were the French, Scottish, and German Lieutenants respectively: Audebert (Guillaume Canet), Gordon (Alex Ferns), and Horstmayer (Daniel Brühl). All three were perfectly cast and magnificent in their roles. As the leaders of their troops, it was up to these three to determine the fate of all of their loyal men. The events of the evening, therefore, were also strictly up to them. As we get to know more and more about each one, though, it becomes increasingly more and more difficult to comprehend how each has even become involved with this ghastly war in the first place. What cruel twist of fate brought them into this deadly conflict? The essential question changes, however, from "What drives a man to take up arms and fight a war?" at the beginning of the film to "How does a true man reconcile the actions he commits on behalf of his government during a war with what he knows is not right in his heart?" by the end of the film. For me, mentally wrestling with this question became the needle in my mind that has continued to irritate like the sand in an oyster. Ultimately, however, I doubt a pearl will emerge from my mind’s defensive layers built up to prevent the real pain of realization that no matter what the justification given, war cannot be morally defended. Instead, I suspect what will be left behind is rather a scar of realization that must never be forgotten. This film had a profound impact on me, the kind of impact I anticipate from Best Picture nominees. In my mind, it fits in that category. It is a profoundly impacting story and film.
Joyeux Noel (Merry Christmas) [DVD](2005) DVD
| CD Soundtrack | DVD | |
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