Joyeux Noël (2006)

There was a lot to absorb right out of the gate. We meet everyone rather quickly and barely have time to register their differences before being asked by the script to keep them straight (a feat I didn't accomplish until well into the story). Set at Christmastime on a French battlefield during the first World War, there are three trenches in close proximity: 1) the French -- led by a meek lieutenant who'd rather be home 2) the Scots -- including a couple of high-blooded brothers and their parish priest and 3) the Germans -- the commander of which is a humorless guy who barely tolerates the famous singer serving under him.

Christmas Eve rolls around and each group is enjoying separate "celebrations," which eventually merge into one. The mindlessness of war hits almost everyone on screen once Christmas is over and it's time to go back to being enemies. Beautiful story that's nicely acted -- but in making all (save one) of the soldiers so likable and eager to lay weapons aside, the filmmakers expose their willingness to sacrifice realism for a few warm fuzzies.

B+