Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

A different way of telling a story

The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

1. A truly powerful and must see film about the futility of war.2. It depicts that whatever those in power would have us believe there are more similarities between various nationalities than differences.3. Wonderful performances by many little known actors.4. First class cinematography and other production values.5. Illustrates that there can be no war if if if you have no enemy. It is impossible to kill a man with whom you have shared drinks and stories and grown to like6. Wonderful music and singing as those who have suffered and fought each other in the trenches slowly gather to mark Christmas Eve by drinking and talking with each other, swapping addresses, singing Christmas carols common to all three nations (Germany, France and Scotland), burying frozen corpses and playing soccer together.7. Not perfectly historically accurate but very close to an actual incident, A vivid illustration of the foolishness of war. While some have laid the blame at the feet it is clear that the primary blame lays with those who order others to go to war while safely enjoying the better of things far from the trenches

Joyeux Noel captures a rare moment of grace from one of the worst wars in the history of mankind.This is a movie about the World War I Christmas truce of December 1914, depicted through the eyes of French, Scottish and German soldiers.It stars Benno Fürmann,Guillaume Canet,Daniel Brühl,Diane Kruger,Gary Lewis and Alex Ferns; and it was written and directed by Christian Carion.When the war machines began rolling in the summer of 1914, the devastation that it waged upon German, British, and French troops was palpable. As the winter winds began to blow and the soldiers sat huddled in their trenches awaiting the generous Christmas care packages sent by the families, the sounds of warfare took a momentary backseat to the yearning for brotherhood among all of mankind. It is here that the fate of a French lieutenant, a Scottish priest, a German tenor, and a Danish soprano's lives were about to be changed forever. On Christmas Eve of that year, the lonely souls of the front lines abandoned their arms to reach out to their enemies on the battlefield and greet them with not anger or hostility, but with the simple, kindly gesture by trading chocolates and champagne, playing soccer, and comparing pictures of their wives and to put their differences aside long enough to wish each other as brothers a sincere Christmas greetings to one another.But when Christmas ends, the war returns.The movie captures a rare moment of grace from one of the worst wars in the history of mankind, World War I.Although it has been justly accused of sentimentality and manipulation, but if any subject warrants such an earnest and hopeful treatment, it's the horrors of trench warfare. The cast delivers low-key but effective performances as the movie dwells on the everyday elements of life in the face of war.In the end,this is one film that is a marvelously entertaining history lesson that is glossy, emotional and touching that a viewer should not miss.

'Joyeux Noel' is really a wonderful film. It is true in its historiography of the Christmas Truce of 1914 that happened in Ypres, Belgium; an event that revealed that friendship, music, and humanity really do mute the belligerent sentiments of war.I had little idea of the plot before I saw 'Joyeux Noel.' I thought it might have been yet another World War I epic. For the most part I was right; it is a marvelous WWI epic, but it is dissimilar to all the others. The military ideal of patriotism that is so often saluted in war epics, is belittled in front of the incredible humanity and comradeship that the soldiers showed. I was simply enthralled at what I was seeing: soldiers from three different trenches were sharing champagne, playing soccer, and attending the same Christmas Mass. They were collectively committing high treason, while celebrating a friendship that had no geopolitical borders.Christian Carion's "Joyeux Noel" has enlightened audiences across the globe. This is a marvelous ode to the brave soldiers of WWI who chose to toast together and break bread in a Christmas truce, rather than obey the warmongering orders of high command. It makes us understand the universality of our human experiences, despite wartime propaganda and nationalist sentiments.The acting was superb by the German, French and Scottish actors, and the music was beautifully executed in the spirit of the times. Congratulations to those involved in making this inspiring film a reality. This visually and sonically captivating picture will make you think, make you laugh, and will make you cry.If you have yet to see "Joyeux Noel," definitely consider renting this astounding epic. Seeing it will make you a better person.Enjoy!

Joyeux Noel seemed like an ideal seasonal movie. Already in the Christmas spirit I ventured to watch it, and finished the film with a feeling of hope and tears down my face. It is an incredibly moving film, with a subject matter that anyone would identify with, which is explored intelligently and broodingly here. The cinematography, lighting, costumes and settings are appropriately moody yet very beautifully done, the script is emotionally complex and never overly-preachy and the story is compelling and moved and haunted me a long while after. The characters are believable, no offensive stereotypes or clichés as such here, and the cast particularly Diana Kruger give dynamic performances. And I have to mention the soundtrack, simply divine and one of the best I've heard recently. Oh and for fans of Natalie Dessay and Rolando Villazon, they sing here, and wonderfully might I add, very understated and fitting with not a too original interpretation or over-tensed note in sight. In conclusion, a treasure. 10/10 Bethany Cox