Noelle Review

Overall 5.00 of 5 (by 1 user)

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Caprig
Podunk, NY

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MUST HAVE Christmas Film- Was Worth Waiting a Year For

into Independent Films, watching with kids, a comedy fan, Free Thinker

Pros

off beat, charming, delightful acting, excellent screen writing, classic style Christmas film, don't need to be Catholic to enjoy this, family friendly, haunting, unique

Cons

I can not think of any

NOV

2008

I am increasingly impressed with the independent films that have been coming out in recent years brought about by small groups of people who are committed to bringing forth family friendly movies with meaning and high quality writing- in the style of the older movies.

Fireproof the movie was one such endeavor which brought such a steady stream at the box office that our local theater was amazed at how long it was able to stay playing there.

Last year Gener8tion X took upon itself another small family produced film named NOELLE to put in limited theaters. Unfortunately, it did not play in local theaters so we had to wait an entire year to see it.

This past week NOELLE appeared at different places through the country, one being Walmart. When I saw it, I was able to pick up a copy (much to my delight), and suprise our family with it for Thanksgiving.

WHAT IS NOELLE LIKE?

Wow, where do I begin?

Noelle stars a man with an uncanny resemblance to Robert Redford as a priest who is a heartless man come to close a struggling church in a small fishing village which is not bringing enough income to the church system to be worth leaving open.

The church that he goes to is a tiny quirky church which has been under the loving care of a priest named Father Simeon who has given everything he has to the people he loves so much.

It just so happens that Father Keene (the mean one) went to school with Father Simeon in charge of the parish, and although he attempts to have a warm relationship with Father Keene, Father Keene is not nice at all. He is cold, and mean and without feeling...or so we think. (think a mild version of House)

For some reason, Father Keene is troubled by visions of a little girl. It irritates him and he is clearly driven by some internal struggle. He also becomes interested in a woman who is in a rough situation and attempts to help her in his cold calculating way. The contrast between Father Keene and Father Simeon is stark and moving.

The end of the movie is well worth the effort to watch it, but I dare not say any more about it lest it ruin it for you, being such a unique movie as it is.

COMMENTS ON NOELLE

NOELLE is a rare jewel. Charming, off beat, and quirky, it is really hard to believe that a small family did this film with the help of friends. Matthew Crouch (ONE NIGHT WITH THE KING - the fantastic movie of Queen Esther) saw this film and determined to bring it to the general public, and for a good reason.

This film is endearing. It is a film that has an undercurrent that draws you into it. You do not have to be Catholic to appreciate it at all, which is another great feature of the film. In fact, you might appreciate a few of the quirks of the characters now and then if you have been to Catholic church, but honestly, I don't even think you need to be Catholic to appreciate it.

The acting is all really well done. The writing is delightful. The wit is quick and funny, yet does not detract from the intensity of the flim. The line delivery is impeccable. Many times we were laughing so hard in this movie we had to stop it for a moment to catch the line that we missed while laughing.

The man that plays Father Keene captures the duality of his character wonderfully. He is so determined to be heartless, yet he trips and falls when he tries to make a point, or has something else happen to him that most of us have experienced at one time or another.

And surprisingly enough, I recognized an old familiar face at the end of the movie- this film was filmed in Massachusetts where an old familar name in rock music happens to live. Mike Sweet plays one of the characters in the movie and it was not until the end that I recognized him, which is a feat in itself. (Mike Sweet was the lead singer of the rock group Stryper back about 20+ years ago)

I can not recommend this film highly enough. It's unique charm and hypnotic quality of music and storyline make me want to watch it over and over again. It has a haunting quality about it that stays with you long after the movie ends.

FINAL COMMENTS

If you like off beat movies with a true Christmas style message, you have to see Noelle. This one will stay with our Christmas Classics to be viewed a few times each year. It is well worth the effort to get a copy of it.

You can get Noelle at Walmart stores, but you can also get it from Amazon.com as well.

If you want to see more about this movie, you can go to their website

http://www.noellethemovie.com/

Last edited on Nov 24, 2008

Noelle is recommended by Caprig

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Comments about Caprig’s Review

GigiandAdonai wrote on Nov 26, 2008 at 10:00AM

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Oh my goodness! The other day my sister and I were out Christmas shopping and I saw this movie at Wal-Mart. I picked it up and read the description and told my sister I was going to come back and get it once I tallied up many of my purchases.

You write some very good and critical reviews (that being a good thing) so if YOU liked this movie then I am sure it will be good and worth my investment. It was $14.96. My family doesn't rent--we buy and then share with other family members.

I can't believe someone actually got the movie. I never heard of it 'til I saw it on the shelf at Wally World and I am always getting the different movies that I think will be child/family friendly.

Thanks and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! ~Gigi

AnnaBanana wrote on Nov 26, 2008 at 9:27AM

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As a Catholic, I am really looking forward to seeing this! It sounds like a winner!

krislynn wrote on Nov 24, 2008 at 1:17PM

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I've never heard of this movie. I'll have to rent "Noelle" before Christmas. Very good review. Thanks for sharing. ;-) ~Krista Lynn

Caprig wrote on Nov 24, 2008 at 11:16AM

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In response to mindyvol's comment from Nov 24, 2008 at 9:31AM:

If you have Netflix, I imagine it might be there to rent first if you can find it- but at Walmart it was not very expensive - about half the price of Amazon. I can not wait to watch it again! It is just so delightful. :)