22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Worthwhile Year-round Movie, December 1, 2004
This review is from: Noel (Flexplay 48-Hour DVD) - Amazon.com Exclusive (DVD)
I think the film has some good acting by Paul Walker, Susan Sarandon, and Penelope Cruz and some enjoyable plot twists that will entertain those looking for an enjoyable Christmas story in a modern-day setting.
The movie isn't likely to win any major awards, but it's better than most holiday dramas and many non-holiday films. I think young and more mature adults alike will enjoy NOEL. It's an excellent "date" flick.
Penelope Cruz will appeal to both men and women but for different reasons, but I think children and young teen viewers should be "spared" her bulging cleavage and ultra-mini skirts. I was most "surprised" by Paul Walker's performance. Early in the film I thought his character would be 1-dimensional (i.e., an over-the-top jealous lover), but I think he gives a believable performance as the "macho hunk" who is a man of heart, soul, and some depth of character.
Robin Williams and Susan Sarandon redeem each other and contribute to an uplifting climatic twist to end the movie on a hopeful, redemptive note. Definitely worth seeing.
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11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reflections (a year later) on "Noel", September 9, 2005
For those who prefer nutshell versions, here's a review of Noel for you: a good Christmas movie that will appeal to viewers that find themselves in the "middle zone" during the holiday season. By "middle zone" I'm referring to those that aren't fanatically overjoyed by Christmas to surreal heights, but also not loathing December 1 every year. The subject matter is "middle" as well...it's neither a fairy tale nor a depressing drama. It's a slice-of-life look into the lives of what probably represents a good 75% of the population at Christmas time.
The movie stars Susan Sarandon, Paul Walker, and Penelope Cruz, and includes a supporting cast with some well-known names as well. It was a surprise to me to discover how large a role Robin Williams (uncredited) plays in this movie. I happened to stumble onto this movie because of three main factors: its composer, its marketing, and its technological introduction.
Alan Menken is my favorite composer, so long before the movie was released, I knew it was coming out. It was a surprise to me, then, when I visited my local theater last Thanksgiving to see "The Incredibles," and nested within the lid of my soda was a promotional CD containing a trailer and the title song for "Noel." Being curious, I visited the official website to find that it was also the first title being released on a new DVD format called "Flexpay," a new process whereby a DVD (once exposed to air) would become unplayable after approximately 48 hours. This alone peaked my curiosity and, along with the other two points of interest this movie generated, prompted me to order the Flexpay DVD from Amazon.com.
What I found was a movie I could relate to more closely than I would normally have anticipated. Being one who generally looks forward to the holiday season, I found myself quickly relating to Sarandon's character--a middle-aged executive type living alone AND (with the exception of visiting her mother in a hospice) spending the holidays alone. Her only true desire being to see Alzheimer's release the grip it has on her ailing mother for just one moment, she tends to miss some of the things around her many would label fortunate. "The hot guy at work" wants to date her, but she freezes up; yet, her genuine character shines through as she shows a little extra love to a patient across the hall from her mother--a patient she knows NOTHING about. Her story showcases a kind-hearted, sympathetic, and genuine woman you'd find more often than not at Christmas time.
Meanwhile, two separate (but eventually interconnected) strories are running in parallel: one of a man whose greatest Christmas party memory was when he spent Christmas as a child in the hospital. Finding that times have changed, his measures turn desperate as he tries to find some way to duplicate the experience and relive the childhood memory once more. Doing so uncovers a painful past and an answer to newly uncovered emotions.
The other story involves a typical dating couple (Cruz and Walker) with a seemingly picture-perfect holiday life and a storybook romance. This dreamland is threatened, however, by an overpowering jealousy Walker's character has for any male that comes in contact with his girlfriend. Already hanging on by a thread, the relationship takes an indefinite pause after Walker walks in on Cruz decorating a Christmas tree with a coworker (as a gift for Walker) and violently erupts in a fistful of anger. Along the way, Walker's character crosses path with a restaurant waiter (Alan Arkin) who believes Walker is his dead wife, reincarnated. Arkin's character becomes a realtime test for Walker as he learns the fine line of balancing jealousy, skepticism, and realization.
I enjoyed the movie for it's lighthearted presentation of what could be considered hefty subject matter. Because of this, the movie is not dragged down as a depressing melodrama; rather, it presents a look at how life is for most of us in some way or another. Nobody wants to be alone...we want to be understood...and we want to feel a part of something. Sometimes situations we might consider as enormous may seem trivial to others. Sometimes we don't realize how blessed we may be. "Noel" objectively presents all facets of life during the Christmas season, and leaves a couple of surprises for the viewer--all of this without leaving you with an in-your-face solution for how the holiday blues should be handled.
In my opinion, I was more excited about trying out Flexpay and hearing new music from Alan Menken--other than that, I didn't expect much. What I received, instead, was a rather enjoyable film that dared to present Christmas as a reality that some may be too hesitant to acknowledge...all of this while leaving the viewer with a warm, positive feeling instead of depression or cynicism. I found myself watching it more than once, and inviting others to watch the DVD as well (as long as the Flexpay system would allow the data to remain intact).
"Noel" may not be THE holiday movie for everyone, but it certainly is something new, entertaining, and unexpected. I recommend this movie to anyone looking for something different yet introspective during the holidays--especially those who, deep down inside, really DO believe that miracles can come true.
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