Customer Reviews

Noelle

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Grab some comedy. Some drama. Eerie winter landscapes. And Christmas lights. Roll up into one giant snow ball And throw at best friend.

That's what it felt like to me, watching this film unfold before me in the theater.

For a pic set in a religious world I found it refreshing that it was unafraid to poke fun of the foibles of its own, while at the same time upholding its faith and values.

It's the best of the bunch so far to come out of the recent stream of "faith-based" films, as it seems like the director actually knew what he was doing with the camera and a myriad other things in his story-telling choices.

Acting is great. No, really. You can tell they're doing more than spitting out memorized lines from the script. They are actually inhabiting the characters they are playing! (Yes, these guys actually took the time to find real actors who have worked on their craft.)

Music is hauntingly beautiful.

Cinematography... let's say the director didn't hire no idiot. It's great. It delivers.

My adult son and I were looking for something to do one rainy Sunday afternoon last year in December. We had never heard of this movie but decided to give it a chance. Am I ever glad we did. We both enjoyed it. I wanted to see it again but unfortunately we attended the last showing in our area. I have been monitoring the internet to find out when it was coming out. I can hardly wait to see it again and have recommended it to several people. It is not "glossy" but very sweet and moving. No special effects, just a nice character driven movie about very "human" human beings. Really enoyed it.

"Best Director" winner, David Wall, not only directed but wrote, starred as a Catholic priest, and co-produced this movie, "Noelle." His real wife, Kerry, plays a local fishing-town female librarian unworthy of playing Mary in the "save the church" Christmas program because of a "secret". It is a wonderful, heartwarming, and seasonal story that you'll want to own for an annual viewing.

The story is paced with messages of life, love, forgiveness, faith, and it all takes place in Cape Cod. Delightful and endearing. Romantic and poignant. Although the story is about a pair of Catholic Priests and a parish, you don't have to be of that faith to enjoy this Christmas tale.

The plot: can the church be saved from being shut down? The answer seems simple, but getting there is not. Buy this one!

It's about time a great seasonal 'feel-good' movie came along in the ilk of "Miracle on 34th Street" and "It's a Wonderful Life." I saw this movie at a small theater when it was first released as "Mrs. Worthington's Party" two years ago. I have been looking for it ever since and badgering the theater to show it again. Don't expect a big commercial production -- just a sweet, wonderous holiday movie that everyone in the family will enjoy.

For anyone who has been to the Cape, particularly in the off-season, this quaint movie will bring you back. There is a lot of scenery from mid and lower cape areas. The acting is well done and the storyline wraps up the loose ends in the end. Catch Sean Brennan and Dave Hickey playing throughout the Cape during the summer season at O'Shea's Olde Inn on Rt 28 in West Dennis (the Olde Inn in the movie).

As someone who supports Christian and family values, I'm afraid I found this movie extremely disappointing, bland & somewhat offensive. Although the weird storyline keeps your interest, it is a very different kind of Christmas movie. It is sombre and the joy that is present in most holiday flicks is absent from this film. I can see that my opinion differs from many of the posters here, but I want to caution people who have similar values to me. I'm not Catholic, but to me it wasn't very respectful of the priesthood & I could see how someone who was Roman Catholic could be very offended by this movie. I just assumed that because there was romance involved that it was a story about an Anglican priest. I'm afraid not. A story about priests with tons of skeletons in the closet just isn't for me at all. Don't get me wrong, there is a message there, although a loose one that is more about 2nd chances & also that someone should go into ministry for the right reasons. However, there appear to be no consequences for the inappropriateness of certain characters' behaviour and at the end, for at least one character, it is like the story never happened. The one swear is presented without sound, but hey we can all lipread that! The acting was very stiff and poor, and the storyline was slow and dragged. Please give me a more lighthearted film for Christmas time! Unfortunately this film is rather expensive and really, in my opinion, not worth the money.

This "small" movie packs a very powerful, beautiful punch that will leave you thinking and talking about it for quite some time. The scenery alone is worth it...but the story is one emotional, sincere surprise after another. Definitely worth your time.

My wife and I have watched this little, unknown but remarkable film three times this Christmas season. Each time it gets better. There is some remarkably deft writing in the script (listen carefully to the banter between the pub owner, Dermott, and Father Jonathan Keene). Some plot points are not immediately evident on first viewing (why did Father Keene, when preparing communion, suddenly realize he needed to go to Marjorie?) and the humor and appreciation of the excellent musical score grow with each viewing. An adult with a Christian background can appreciate this film on so many levels but even those whose faith may not be so evident should be able to embrace the lessons of love and forgiveness that permeate this film.

For this film to be written, directed, and acted out by the (seemingly) entire Wall family is even more remarkable. Surely it was shot on a very tight budget but one would hardly know that considering the cinematography and the musical scoring. My one complaint is the acting of some of the lessor roles which seemed pretty stiff (or was that just being Cape Coders?) and, while I loved Sean Patrick Brennan's Father Joyce, his monotone delivery of many of his lines was distracting. Hence the deduction of one star as it was almost, but not completely, perfect. (Yes, I am a harsh judge.)

We have viewed this film with adults and even teens and all are at rapt attention during the showing. We were concerned that it might be too "talky" for teens but instead it stimulated a robust discussion of many issues presented. (A fun activity is for each person viewing the film for the first time to indicate when they have finally "figured out" who the mesmerizing little girl on the DVD cover represents.) I do feel sadness that this will be seen by so few, apparently due to its limited distribution. Please don't miss the opportunity to view it yourself this holiday or anytime you wish to be charmed and reminded that we can all be forgiven from our past transgressions.

In the mood for a good, clean, unusual movie (but always expecting the worst) I settled in to watch this unknown that we picked up. Usually they start out and the expectations are dashed along the way with foul language, sex scenes and unnecessary violence. As the movie moved along at a nice comfortable pace (not hyper like most movies made in the USA) the story became even more engaging. In the end, after listening to several wonderful choices of music I decided it would become a "keeper". It is warm, not predictable and portrays real choices that face most of us somewhere in our lives. I would recommend it to your family, from ours.

I was definitely caught by surprise by the film "Noelle." It is one of the best films I have seen in 2008, and one of the best Christmas themed movie I've ever viewed. The story is well-written, convincingly acted, and beautifully shot. Best of all, it makes profound points about forgiveness, community, restoration, the preciousness of life, and the grace of God.

Watching this film for me was like eating a delicious home-cooked meal after weeks of fast food. The contrast between this truly creative story and its portrayal of interesting and complex human characters and the predictable and derivative films of the Hollywood system was bracing. It was encouraging simply to be reminded that creative and thoughtful people of integrity can produce quality works of art. Kudos to all the folks involved with "Noelle." It was a great Christmas present to me and my wife.