Great movie that tell us that we are here for a good reason

source: Noel

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No tree decorating, baking cookies or building snowmen. Instead this is a character study of several different people trying to make sense of life. (I counted 6, but maybe Charlie doesn't count.) They all cross paths, some more closely than others. There are several more popular actors and all do at least a credible job. Susan Sarandon's story is perhaps the most interesting and she does it well. The story wanders a bit, but I think intentionally. The TV replay I watched was chopped a little too much for commercials and so a couple of times the transitions were confusing.

A curious little film that I received from a magazine DVD giveaway (!) and that I watched in December on a quiet night. It has an excellent cast, great cinematography and a sincere script. Things I liked include the banter between the two cop partners; Penelope Cruz's acting; and an intelligent Susan Sarandon in just about every scene. The problem is that it is a little too sweet. There are some very dark themes -- the death of a baby; a jealous husband's violence leading to death; and a young man so distressed he badly injures himself. Yet the audience doesn't witness these horrible things; they're all just described to us. You get the sense that all the loose ends will be tied up, and the film has quite a gentle pace. But it is obviously a movie made with love, and the cast give it their all. And there are some great ideas and some really lovely scenes, such as Sarandon gatecrashing a party and longing to belong to a big family.

It never ceases to amaze me that professional critics bash movies like this one. This is a sweet, endearing movie devoid of cynicism and sarcasm - traits that appear to be necessary for a positive critical review. Don't be fooled by the reviews you see. Watch this movie for yourself. If you want a heartwarming story, well-acted and poignant, Noel will not disappoint. Because Christmas, in reality, can be a lonely time for some, this movie portrays the 'imperfect' side to the holiday. While the stories intertwine, we witness the struggles and loneliness of these characters, each dealing with different, but very real, sadness. The love and joy that still is present in this lovely story make this an enjoyable movie, well-worth your time if you want to be uplifted and inspired.

Why try to be a film critic? I cannot understand why people can't just sit back and enjoy a very sweet film without picking out every imperfection. Noel is a movie with a lot of heart. Alan Arkin gives an excellent performance as well as Susan Sarandon. While others may not enjoy this movie because it depicts what the holidays are actually like for millions of people, I found it to represent the loss of connection we have all come to know to well. I think that the message is clear, that people need each other to live a life of substance. As individuals we are lost, but with friends, family and love we have hope. I hope the person that fell asleep watching this film did so next to a wife,husband or life partner and that they just didn't appreciate the film because they can't comprehend what it is like to be alone. I will watch this film every year with my family. It will remind us to be grateful for having each other. Thank you Chazz for taking the time to make this film.

I started watching this expecting a typical TV movie of the week. Excellent writing, directing, and acting by a great cast make it so much more. "Noel" is a beautiful story that is set in New York City on Christmas Eve and follows several characters whose lives intersect including Susan Sarandon as a lonely single woman caring for a sick mother, Paul Walker as an engaged man who can't seem to feel secure in his relationship with his fiancée(Penelope Cruz), and Alan Arkin as a man with a past that he can't seem to move on from. Themes of loneliness, jealousy, regret, are covered as well as love, acceptance, and reconciliation. If you are looking for a feel good tearjerker to watch over the holiday, I highly recommend this under seen gem.

This film is about how a group of seemingly unconnected people spend their Christmas Eve in New York. "Noel" may look like a romantic comedy set around Christmas time, but it is much more than that. It excels at portraying their feelings and emotions, and therefore it is particularly engaging. Their live stories are real and down to earth, these events could happen to anyone. It helps viewers to connect with the characters. I find Arty's story particularly touching. The parallel between Arty and Mike, although a little contrived, is also nice as it leads to a happy ending. "Noel" is a heartwarming film. It makes you care and feel for the characters. It might even make you feel for the people around you too.