DVD: Tuesday, After Christmas

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Just as you think you’ve got Tuesday, After Christmas pegged as an Eric Rohmer-style relationship drama, it gradually becomes clear it’s something else. The impact left by this ambiguous, non-judgmental examination of the emotional crisis affecting a married man and those around him is a result of its measured approach and deft sensitivity. Less about the dialogue, it’s more about interaction and nuance.

Paul Hanganu (Mimi Brănescu) is married to Adriana (Mirela Oprişor). They have a bright little daughter. He works in some unspecified role for a bank, Adriana works in law. Adriana doesn’t know that Paul has been having an affair with Raluca (Maria Popistasu), their daughter’s dentist. They both turn up at the appointment to fit their daughter with braces, where the discomfited Paul decides he has to choose his future path. Christmas looms, and he resolves to make a decision before the end of the year.

Tuesday, After Christmas DVD The plot is simple, covered in a linear fashion with no fuss. There are the minimum of set ups and scenes. Tuesday, After Christmas is defined by the subtlety writer-director Radu Muntean (the DVD's extra is an across-the-kitchen-table interview with Muntean) brings to what might be a by-rote depiction of a middle-class marriage that could be about to break down. The opening scene of Paul and Raluca’s intimate interaction is utterly natural and consequently uncomfortable to watch. It’s like peeking in on a private conversation you should never have heard or seen. Paul and Adriana’s dentist’s visit is squirm-inducing. What follows after Paul’s confession is even more so.

There are echoes of (and a reconfiguring of) Muntean’s earlier film Boogie, where the protagonist tries to reconnect with his past but decides to stick with the present. That the big picture comes from the detail is a trait shared with recent-ish Romanian highlights like Police, Adjective and The Death of Mr. Lăzărescu, but Tuesday, After Christmas inhabits it’s own space. Unreservedly recommended.

Watch the trailer for Tuesday, After Christmas

Comments

I had no idea this was TWO Christmas episodes! Imagine my ssuirpre when it arrived! I thought it was just A Christmas They Never Forgot. Anyway, I have been a fan of this much-loved series for years. As kids, my bother and I grew up watching Little House on the Prairie and every Christmas I get him a DVD. I really think he's going to like this. Every show is always perfect! Michael Landon set the bar of excellence so high that no one in the past 30 years has ever been able to even come close! These are the main cast members of this family-friendly series:Michael Landon (played: Charles Ingalls)Karen Grassle (played: Caroline Ingalls)Melissa Gilbert (played: Laura Ingalls)Melissa Sue Anderson (played: Mary Ingalls)Matthew Laborteaux (played: Albert Ingalls)Ketty Lester (played: Hester-Sue Terhune)Dean Butler (played: Almanzo Wilder)Victor French (played: Isaiah Edwards)Linwood Boomer (played: Adam Kendall)Richard Bull (played: Nels Oleson)Alison Arngrim (played: Nellie Oleson)Melissa Missy Francis (played: Cassandra Cooper Ingalls)Jason Bateman (played: James Cooper Ingalls)Rachel Lindsay Sydney Greebush (Carrie Ingalls)Wendi Brenda Turnbaugh (played Grace Ingalls) These are the 2 eps that this DVD incldues, with the original air dates show descriptions: Christmas at Plum Creek December 25, 1974The entire Ingalls family works (extra) hard to earn money for Christmas gifts. Carrie even finds a penny in an old hat box. Laura decides to trade Bunny to Mr. Oleson! Charles raises extra money, as well, by reconstructing a set of wagon wheels. Ma and Mary each take up sewing as their family contribution. And, on Christmas morning everyone gets the ssuirpre of their lives! This ep is from Season One . A Christmas They Never Forgot December 21, 1981Mary and Adam come back to Walnut Grove (from NY) for a rare ssuirpre visit. When the entire family is snowed in, everyone sits around the kitchen table and tells some of their fondest memories. And, one of the stories even includes is a Christmas clip from the Little House Original Pilot Movie, with Mr. Edwards! A Christmas They Never Forgot is from Season Eight . Merry Christmas!!!