[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”31624″ img_size=”800×533″ alignment=”center”][vc_column_text]Christmas carolers and a Santa hat as my ticket inside? Count me in! The pre-screening of “Noelle” was cute, vibrant, and came at the perfect time for me. The early-onset playing of holiday music has arrived and rather than my inner Grinch getting aggravated, I’m left feeling cheerful (for now).
The holiday-themed family comedy, “Noelle,” written and directed by Marc Lawrence (Two Weeks Notice, Miss Congeniality), is a boisterous film sprinkled with some candy cane-inspired fun.
According to Marc Lawrence, the film was originally slated to be a Hanukkah movie. Ultimately, he shifted gears, concluding that, “Christmas is a universal feeling of family…realizing what you have and the folks out there who aren’t as lucky.”
Anna Kendrick takes the reins as “Noelle,” for whom the eponymous movie is named; but what strived to be a charming holiday movie greatly needed to beef up its story line. With the CGI effects leaving something to be desired and a few missteps on the comedic elements of the film, the story’s DNA, while fundamentally good-hearted, was lacking finesse.
Hint: It takes 90 minutes of screen time to solve the most rudimentary problem at play. Frustrating? Yes. What’s more, the solution is meant to feel impactful – revolutionary even. However, it fell short of culminating into something striking or memorable.
Despite the hiccups, Lawrence was able to attract a solid cast: Kendrick as the cheery elf-esque Noelle Kringle, Bill Hader as Nick – her brother in the midst of an existential crisis, Julie Haggerty as their adorably-sweet mother, Billy Eicher as their tech-enthusiast cousin, and the iconic Shirley MacLaine as Noelle’s dedicated elf-nanny.
Kendrick’s performance as the Christmas-doting, hot chocolate-loving Noelle injected a level of depth and pathos into the character that truly carried the film. Although she’s completely steeped in the present-giving, decorations, and magic of the holiday, the Kringle lineage stipulates that the eldest son, in this case, Nick (Hader), will inherit the responsibility of becoming the next Santa.
The quandary? Nick’s woefully unsuited to live the Santa life. As Christmas draws closer, the eldest Kringle is a floundering mess – botched sleigh landings, an inability to determine who’s naughty or nice, and his “broken” gift-giving radar are all screaming he’s unfit for the gig.
There’s a clear message Lawrence attempts to paint here: one in which an overly-qualified female is obscured by a man who lacks the skill or competence, but has the support of the entire North Pole. When Santa Nick skips town days before Christmas Eve, Noelle is held accountable. Again, playing on gender roles – Nick can do no wrong, while Noelle ostensibly destroyed Christmas. To redeem herself, Noelle sets out to find her allergic-to-Christmas brother, which leads her to an outdoor mall in the middle of sweltering Phoenix, Arizona. Incredibly random? You betcha.
During her pursuit, Noelle recruits private detective, Jake Hapman (Kingsley Ben-Adir), whose aversion to the holidays is an obvious choice for Noelle to wrap in tinsel and sprinkle with Christmas cheer. Noelle, herself, encounters some important lessons – one of which calls upon a homeless shelter to serve as a larger message surrounding the true meaning of the holidays.
While away, Lawrence weaves in a short subplot involving Eichner’s algorithm-obsessed Gabe Kringle. It came with some laughs, but it was a hastily-executed attempt to call out the dangers of big business.
All and all, the movie’s feel-good vibe is a product of Kendrick’s valiantly quirky and lively performance as the most clever and gifted Kringle to wear the Santa suit. Although “Noelle” is chock-full of cliches, and certainly won’t become the next holiday classic, the film has some good takeaways and will surely get you in the holiday spirit.
Rating: 3.5/5
“Noelle” will be available to stream on Disney+ starting November 12.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”31632″ img_size=”900×500″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_single_image image=”31631″ img_size=”411×632″ add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center”][vc_video link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBDnQkQUTGU” align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Either typing away on my keyboard or nose-deep in a good book. Say hi to me on Twitter @Kkantro.
