Dec 7

Dec 7 Noelle

Noelle is the consummate Kringle: a present-loving, merry-making scion of Santa tasked with getting her brother, the new St. Nick, ready to wear the suit. But when he suffers a crisis of confidence and goes AWOL in Arizona, Christmas is in jeopardy. Can Noelle get her brother back to the North Pole in time to save the season… or does the spirit of Christmas need something more from her?

CHRISTMAS CLICHÉS:

…Santa?
Christmas-Named Lead
Deceased Parent
Reindeer
Ice-Skating Scene
Carolers
Cute, Precocious Child
Charity Work

Our Thoughts

The initial reviews for “Noelle” had us scared. They called it cheesy and formulaic and a rip-off of “Elf.” But Rob is a big Anna Kendrick fan and kept pushing to watch it...so Jess finally complied.

The critics were correct that yes, the movie is a mashup of female Buddy the Elf meets “The Santa Clause 2.” BUT IT’S AMAZING! One of the easiest choices to give a Very Merry designation. It didn’t even require a household debate as we both wiped away tears during the credits.

Christmas-Named siblings Nick (Bill Hader, the best) and younger sister Noelle (Anna Kendrick, even bester) have specific jobs after their father, …Santa?, passes away: Nick must fill the Santa suit and Noelle must give her brother Christmas spirit. Nick has never felt the yuletide connection, though. So when an empty sleigh returns to the North Pole a few days before Christmas, the town turns against Noelle. She knows he craves sun and peace, and she heads to Phoenix, AZ with the sleigh, confident Reindeer, and sassy elf Polly (Shirley MacLaine, who ends up wearing so much turquoise jewelry).

Where should we begin describing its greatness? Anna Kendrick, obviously. She can be sweetly snarky and honestly earnest at the same time. (“Where are you from?” “A little town up north.” “Canada?” “Canada wishes.”) Once she uncovers her Kringle powers, scenes like her Charity Work in a shelter or helping her hired PI connect with his Cute, Precocious Son make you feel Christmas magic.

And don’t get us started on how the Reindeer steal every scene. Rob felt intimidated by the bro-y sleigh-pullers while Jess kept cooing-slash-laughing at the adorable wannabe, Snowcone. (For those familiar with the somewhat-awful “The Santa Clause 2,” he is no Chet.) Give Snowcone his own short!

Alas, no movie is perfect. We had to look past the overt, backward, anti-female sentiment of the Elder Elves and Mrs. Clause—everyone blamed Noelle for “not doing her job” when Nick absconded instead of bemoaning his man-childness. And a few scenes are one step away from “Elf” plagiarism (example: Noelle eating sunblock). Everything else is utter perfection, thankfully, so any negative response you feel will be fast fleeting.

The final speech Noelle gives at the North Pole is the true reminder of why we love the season: hope, love, and giving back. If you watch said speech without feeling the magic of the season…well…our SEO must be working, because you stumbled upon the wrong website.

Rob's Final Take: Very Merry
It was sweet and quirky with moments of greatness. And then Anna’s big speech turned the Christmas spirit up to 11. An instant classic.

Jess's Final Take: Very Merry
If it premiered in theaters, it’d make $$$. Anna can play both spunky and vulnerable, so her final scenes will warm any heart. Plus, Snowcone. I LOVE SNOWCONE.