
Director: Christian Carion
Cast: Diane Kruger, Benno Frmann, Guillaume Canet, Gary Lewis, Dany Boon, Daniel Brhl, Lucas Belvaux, Bernard Le Coq, Alex Ferns

It is France's submission to Oscar 2006!

The official website
see
www.merrychristmas-themovie.com/

My thoughts ...

-- It has such a great theme ...
(i) that peace is so valuable
(ii) that all of us are so different and yet so similar in many ways ... in humanity ... in our relationships ... to the ones we love ... to the ones we lost ... in songs, culture, sports, etc

-- This was how I felt throughout the film ... without watching any trailer and without reading the synopsis ...

The opening scene is great ... then we are transported into 1914 ... the war has broken out ... the characters are introduced ... and there are lots of sad/depressed facial expressions ... however, the audience have not totally identify and feel for the characters yet ... without enough background to the lives of these characters and the people they miss, i wonder if it will be gripping ... but be patient ... to my great Surprise, instead of sad moments, the film has a lot of comical moments ... and yet when we laugh, we feel sad too (a tough job for any film to do) ... AND suddenly, the turning point sets in ... the "letter scenes" ... i am appalled ... oh no ... i am drawn in ... and for the last 30 minutes or so, when the gravity and consequences of their act set in ... most audience will feel very sad (or at least, be mixed with emotions) by the end ...

-- Technically speaking
... The entire cast is great! 
... There are a few great (and thought provoking) lines ...

-- Are there any weaknesses? there are, but i shant be picky ... e.g., lip sync the opera ... anyway, audience who do not feel for the film may be attributed to their disbelief of what actually happened that Christmas eve ... and the huge amount of comical moments ...

-- As an ending note, although one might initially laugh at the incredulity/absurdity of what happens ... IT DID HAPPEN ... the film was inspired by actual events ... wow ... ... at the end, the film is dedicated to the fraternization which happened on that Christmas eve ...

Conclusion:
Highly recommended ...

Regardless of its nomination, which i think it definitely will ... go watch it! ... simply because of its wonderful theme ...