Noel

PG

Released Nov 5, 2004

1 hr. 36 min.

Holiday

Drama

List

28%

36 Reviews

Tomatometer

48%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

It's nearly Christmas in New York City. Rose (Susan Sarandon) is in the hospital with her elderly mother, who's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Nina (Penélope Cruz) is ready to call off her upcoming marriage because of fiancé Mike's (Paul Walker) jealous rages, and Mike is being followed by Artie (Alan Arkin), a waiter who believes Mike is the reincarnation of his late wife. Meanwhile, a young man named Jules (Marcus Thomas) wants to re-create his happiest Christmas memory.

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Critics Consensus

Noel strains for holiday uplift, but -- despite the involvement of an outstanding ensemble cast -- settles for treacly sentiment instead.

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Jeff M

How did this cornucopia of holiday corniness attract not one, not two, but FOUR Oscar winning actors to participate? It blows my mind! Is a good script really that hard to find? This is one of those motion pictures that actually has several ongoing stories occurring simultaneously, and we witness overlapping story lines and characters from one story popping up in one of the other stories to form an overall cohesion. It makes me sad because the basic theme of overwhelming loneliness during the holidays is topical and an important subject this time of year. This movie contains the strangest, most ludicrous plot line in recent memory - a lonely guy whose greatest Christmas memory was spending the holiday in the emergency room after an accident when he was little hires a thug to rough him up so he has an excuse to go back to the hospital for a Christmas celebration. A movie featuring this cast certainly can't be a full-out disaster but whatever credibility can be found is almost entirely due to the talent of the actors involved. A big disappointment!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

Aloysio N

This is one of the most beautiful films of all time. The idea of crossing each character story, their dramas and their respective redemptions is exquisite, a masterpiece. This film is capable of touching even the hardest of hearts.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/25/23

Full Review

Joe B

Excellent Christmas story line with several sub-stories that intertwine with each other and culminate with feel good conclusions. There are so many great known actors that put in some fantastic acting performances. You won't be sorry watching this movie, in my humble opinion Noel is a classic.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/25/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Wonderful touching Christmas story that teaches us about love, compassion, and forgiveness of one another

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I love this movie! I know some see it as treacly but I personal relate to the Rose character so much it just touches me. The gentle kindness between strangers, everyone getting their needs met, some hurts healed.... it just gets to me every dang time!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Could have been good but Santa is not a girl, just like Mother Nature isn't a man. I get what they are trying to do, but not with Santa....

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

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Chazz Palminteri

Director

Penélope Cruz

Nina

Susan Sarandon

Rose

Paul Walker

Mike

Alan Arkin

Artie

Marcus Thomas

Jules

Show Less Cast & Crew

Show More Cast & Crew

38%

76%

The Nativity Story

73%

75%

Lovely, Still

33%

69%

Believe

TRAILER

for Believe

16%

71%

Raise Your Voice

51%

51%

Black Nativity

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Boston Globe

Rated: 1.5/4

Dec 10, 2004

Full Review

Rex Reed

Observer

One of those unpleasant fiascoes meant to lodge a lump in the throat at Christmas, but it only ends up making you want to bludgeon the elves with their own toy-shop hammers.

Nov 18, 2004

Full Review

Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

The nut-ball factor is just too high for these characters.

Nov 15, 2004

Full Review

Andrea Beach

Common Sense Media

Christmas tearjerker has mature themes, some sex.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 19, 2017

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

I had a very hard time displaying malice to this.

Apr 29, 2009

Full Review

Eric Monder

Film Journal International

Pleasantly watchable.

Mar 1, 2007

Full Review

Read all reviews

Synopsis

It's nearly Christmas in New York City. Rose (Susan Sarandon) is in the hospital with her elderly mother, who's been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Nina (Penélope Cruz) is ready to call off her upcoming marriage because of fiancé Mike's (Paul Walker) jealous rages, and Mike is being followed by Artie (Alan Arkin), a waiter who believes Mike is the reincarnation of his late wife. Meanwhile, a young man named Jules (Marcus Thomas) wants to re-create his happiest Christmas memory.

Director: Chazz Palminteri
Executive Producer: Jonathan Dana
Screenwriter: David Raynr
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Neverland Films
Rating: PG (Thematic Material|Some Language|Sensuality)
Genre: Holiday, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 5, 2004, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 20, 2013
Sound Mix: Surround

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