The drama is overbearing, and to a lesser extent, so is the artifice. 'Noel' rather quickly feels like a holiday rendition of fellow 2004 film 'Crash,' in which the lives of several characters facing their own individual difficulties collide under unlikely circumstances. Each tale could of itself be drawn out into a feature length film; smashing them all together feels like simultaneously draining each of their full potential, and overfilling the cup. This isn't to say that it's a bad movie, but it endeavors so mightily to be impactful and meaningful that as a result, impact and meaning is notably dampened.
Credit where it's due: 'Noel' is well made. There are a lot of very recognizable names and faces in the cast, and they inhabit their characters with great heart and nuance. Chazz Palminteri demonstrates a deft hand as a director. While distinctly overwrought, David Hubbard's screenplay is filled with ably written characters, superb scene writing, fine dialogue, and some fantastic ideas and story beats. There's no small amount of strength in this picture. Unfortunately, there's also just so much sentimentality that it feels forced and maudlin instead of natural and genuine.
Anyone who earnestly enjoys the contrivances of holiday-themed comedies or dramas - whether on the silver screen, or on the Hallmark or Lifetime channels - is sure to find this a perfectly satisfying viewing experience. For anyone else, it's a mixed bag. For what it's worth I think 'Noel' is very sincere. That candor simply fails to manifest, for the most part, on account of the overabundant tragedy, hopefulness, and redemption. I like this well enough - I don't regret watching it, not at all. However, I do think this is a fair example of the maxim that sometimes "less is more."
Worth 96 minutes of your time? You could do a lot worse.
Credit where it's due: 'Noel' is well made. There are a lot of very recognizable names and faces in the cast, and they inhabit their characters with great heart and nuance. Chazz Palminteri demonstrates a deft hand as a director. While distinctly overwrought, David Hubbard's screenplay is filled with ably written characters, superb scene writing, fine dialogue, and some fantastic ideas and story beats. There's no small amount of strength in this picture. Unfortunately, there's also just so much sentimentality that it feels forced and maudlin instead of natural and genuine.
Anyone who earnestly enjoys the contrivances of holiday-themed comedies or dramas - whether on the silver screen, or on the Hallmark or Lifetime channels - is sure to find this a perfectly satisfying viewing experience. For anyone else, it's a mixed bag. For what it's worth I think 'Noel' is very sincere. That candor simply fails to manifest, for the most part, on account of the overabundant tragedy, hopefulness, and redemption. I like this well enough - I don't regret watching it, not at all. However, I do think this is a fair example of the maxim that sometimes "less is more."
Worth 96 minutes of your time? You could do a lot worse.