Christmas with the Tuches
After having resigned from his post as President of the Republic, Jeff and his family are happy to be back in their village of Bouzolles. As the end of the year holidays approach, Cathy asks for a unique gift: to reconnect with her sister Maguy, and her husband Jean-Yves, with whom Jeff has been angry for 10 years. The reconciliation could have gone smoothly, except that during a lunch, Jeff and Jean-Yves, will once again find a subject of contention: Christmas. This family feud, which should never have left Bouzolles, will turn into a standoff between Jeff and a giant of Internet distribution.
The film earned $19.3M at the global box office.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Christmas with the Tuches (2021) exemplifies precise dramatic framework, characteristic of Olivier Baroux's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 41 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.3, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Tuche family is shown in their typical chaotic household, preparing for Christmas in their own unconventional way, establishing their working-class values and family dynamics.. Structural examination shows that this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 13 minutes when An unexpected invitation, opportunity, or event disrupts their planned simple Christmas - perhaps an invitation to spend Christmas with wealthy relatives or in an upscale setting.. At 13% through the film, this Disruption is delayed, allowing extended setup of the story world. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 25 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to The Tuche family makes the active decision to embrace the new Christmas experience, leaving their comfort zone and committing to the adventure despite their reservations., moving from reaction to action.
At 51 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Notably, this crucial beat A false victory where the Tuches seem to be successfully adapting to the new environment, perhaps winning over some of the snobs or having a moment of apparent triumph, but underlying tensions remain., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 76 minutes (75% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, A major embarrassment or rejection occurs. The Tuches are humiliated or excluded, making them feel their authentic selves are not welcome. The dream of a perfect alternative Christmas dies., shows the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 81 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 80% of the runtime. The Tuches realize that their authentic, loving family bonds are more valuable than acceptance from others. They decide to celebrate Christmas their own way, embracing who they truly are., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Christmas with the Tuches's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Christmas with the Tuches against these established plot points, we can identify how Olivier Baroux utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Christmas with the Tuches within the comedy genre.
Olivier Baroux's Structural Approach
Among the 4 Olivier Baroux films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.1, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Christmas with the Tuches represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Olivier Baroux filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Olivier Baroux analyses, see The Tuche Family: The American Dream, The Tuche Family and The Italian.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Tuche family is shown in their typical chaotic household, preparing for Christmas in their own unconventional way, establishing their working-class values and family dynamics.
Theme
A family member or friend states something about what truly matters during the holidays - family unity over material wealth or social status.
Worldbuilding
Introduction to the Tuche family's current situation, their Christmas traditions, relationships with neighbors and extended family, and the contrast between their simple values and the materialistic holiday season around them.
Disruption
An unexpected invitation, opportunity, or event disrupts their planned simple Christmas - perhaps an invitation to spend Christmas with wealthy relatives or in an upscale setting.
Resistance
The family debates whether to accept the new Christmas plans. Jeff Tuche and family members discuss the pros and cons, worry about fitting in, and prepare themselves for a different kind of holiday celebration.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Tuche family makes the active decision to embrace the new Christmas experience, leaving their comfort zone and committing to the adventure despite their reservations.
Mirror World
The family encounters someone or a group that represents the opposite of their values - wealthy, sophisticated, or pretentious characters who will serve as a thematic mirror throughout the story.
Premise
Fish-out-of-water comedy as the Tuches navigate the upscale Christmas environment. Cultural clashes, misunderstandings, and comic situations arise from their authentic working-class behavior in contrast to the refined setting.
Midpoint
A false victory where the Tuches seem to be successfully adapting to the new environment, perhaps winning over some of the snobs or having a moment of apparent triumph, but underlying tensions remain.
Opposition
The cultural clash intensifies. The Tuches' authentic nature increasingly conflicts with the expectations around them. Judgmental characters become more critical, and the family begins to question whether they belong.
Collapse
A major embarrassment or rejection occurs. The Tuches are humiliated or excluded, making them feel their authentic selves are not welcome. The dream of a perfect alternative Christmas dies.
Crisis
The family grapples with hurt feelings and questions whether they should have stayed true to their own traditions. They reflect on what they've lost by trying to be something they're not.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The Tuches realize that their authentic, loving family bonds are more valuable than acceptance from others. They decide to celebrate Christmas their own way, embracing who they truly are.
Synthesis
The family creates their own genuine Christmas celebration, combining their values with what they've learned. Their authenticity wins over even the snobs, proving that real holiday spirit comes from the heart, not from status or money.
Transformation
The Tuche family is shown celebrating Christmas together in their own authentic way, having brought others into their circle. The closing image mirrors the opening but shows they've grown more confident in their identity.