Noel
Screen Media Films | Release Date: November 12, 2004 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
29
METASCORE
Generally unfavorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews
Positive:
1
Mixed:
5
Negative:
9
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
70
Chicago ReaderJ.R. Jones
This ensemble drama by screenwriter David Hubbard isn't perfect, but its harsh honesty and sincere faith in humanity make it genuinely uplifting. Read full review
50
Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert
There's a point at which the plot crosses an invisible line, becoming so preposterous that it's no longer moving and is just plain weird. Read full review
40
The A.V. ClubNoel Murray
Palminteri and screenwriter David Hubbard desperately want the crazy misfits in their movie to move the audience, but they're all too cracked to inspire empathy. There's no holiday magic, just famous faces playing people who don't exist. Read full review
40
L.A. WeeklyKim Morgan
Sentimental, borderline-bizarre Christmas movie that boasts just enough good acting to make up for the treacle. Read full review
40
Los Angeles TimesKevin Thomas
A thick and gooey slice of holiday hokum. Read full review
40
The New York TimesDave Kehr
Though clearly meant as a heartwarmer in the longstanding holiday tradition, the film comes off as strange and sour. Read full review
38
New York Daily NewsRobert Dominguez
A plodding, contrived Christmas tale that wastes the talents of his well-known cast. Read full review
30
VarietyTodd McCarthy
Goes down like sour eggnog on Christmas Eve. Read full review
30
TV Guide MagazineAngel Cohn
The individual stories are so truncated that they can't do much in the way of giving their characters real emotional depth. Read full review
30
Village VoiceLeslie Camhi
Most of the redemptive notes ring false, as does the mythical Manhattan, where the snow is just too clean and everybody lives around the corner. Read full review
30
The Hollywood ReporterMichael Rechtshaffen
David Hubbard's script is so steeped in sludgy sentimentality that the film's early hints of quirkiness quickly give way to heavy-handed faith healing. Read full review
25
Miami HeraldConnie Ogle
Shameless in its desperate grab at the heartstrings. Read full review
25
Chicago TribuneRobert K. Elder
So dark and dirge-like are its first 85 minutes that a few uplifting minutes at the end can't dissipate the somber cloud Noel summons. Read full review
25
Christian Science MonitorDavid Sterritt
Santa Claus's bag couldn't hold as many clichés as the screenplay dishes out. Read full review
0
New York PostLou Lumenick
Excruciatingly maudlin. Read full review
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29 Critic Reviews

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