By AILEEN BURKE
Executive Editor
For those aflush with nostalgia from the Disney+ catalogue, don’t sleep on their charming new holiday film “Noelle,” starring Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader.
“Noelle” is the story of the Kringle family, or the immediate relatives of Santa Claus. After he passes away, his son Nick becomes Santa. One problem: Nick is nowhere near interested. He wants to breathe and relax somewhere else, it doesn’t matter where, it’s just a matter of how, and hopefully sooner rather than later for the stressed Santa-to-be.
Anna Kendrick’s chipper Noelle loves Christmas, and her energy is infectious. With the help of her hyperactive (albino?) reindeer Snowcone, she makes cards and spreads cheer like her Dad told her when she was really little. The direction of the movie makes it clear from the start that she will be the central character, and learning about what she was like as a small child makes the viewer attached to her even more.
In an attempt to make her brother happy, she tells him to take a break. Nick, being stressed and frankly disinterested in living in the North Pole, goes missing to Phoenix, Arizona and hijinks ensue. Later, he becomes a yoga instructor. Watch the movie. It’s even better than it seems, and his studio is fitted with all the right accoutrement.
As a long-time Saturday Night Live fan, I loved being afforded the chance to see Bill Hader in something other than “The Skeleton Twins.” He is a comedic gem, and the seriousness of his performance is not lost on the viewer. The journey that his character takes is really compelling; the end is even more satisfying when you see how far he comes as an individual.
Another little silent and strong gem was Shirley MacLaine. MacLaine is a vet of the stage and the screen, and has not graced a movie for over a year. She plays Elf Polly, a sassy housekeeper who looks out for Noelle, and is present in some way throughout the majority of the action. This particular personality trait becomes important at the end of the film, where she has a little change of heart that makes for a special moment between her character and Kendrick’s Noelle. The two met years ago: Kendrick was one of the performers in MacLaine’s Kennedy Center Honors medley.
The only thing missing from this slightly tropey, but incredibly lovable movie was the romantic ending between Noelle and the private eye she had hired to locate Nick, Jake Hapman. Although the film was more about Noelle’s soul-searching into the family business, there was a small part of me that was rooting for Noelle to fall in love too. Can’t a woman have it all?
Her helping Hapman realize that his relationship with his son comes first is still redeeming for the audience. Really wholesome. We love that for us.
If you’re looking for a way to get into the holiday mood, “Noelle” is the perfect fit. It’s cute, happy, and shiny, with just enough sentiment that it isn’t too cringy. This was a wonderful way to start my journey with Disney+ originals, and if they continue to be this creative there truly will be something for everyone with their online streaming service.
