“Noelle” (Gener8Xion Entertainment)
Comfortable Entertainment
“Noelle” is an easy to like and comfortably entertaining movie from the makers of “One Night With the King.” This movie is a modern story whereas that film was a biblical one but they both have moral messages that affect us all. Filmmaker David Wall immersed himself in the film. He wrote, directed, produced and stars in the movie.
Wall plays Father Jonathan Keene, a tight lipped and cold man who comes to a town on Cape Cod to visit the local church. Father Keene is a closer, but not like the one played on TV by Kyra Sedgewick. He is a church closer. If a church is not making money and if there is not enough support by the local community, Father Keene will shut it down.
This is what he threatens to do to the church now run by Father Simeon Joyce (Sean Patrick Brennan). Father Joyce and Father Keene were in seminary together but that doesn’t seem to matter. If Father Joyce doesn’t rally his flock the church will be out of business in this community.
During the film we also get a glimpse of things that haunt Father Keene. He keeps seeing a young girl named Noelle (Brennan Wall). She appears and then disappears. Keene is also drawn to the local librarian, Marjorie Worthington (Kerry Brennan). She has a sad air about her and it draws Father Keene to her.
There is a subplot in the film about getting the parishioners to create a live crche. We see how the local townspeople vie for the roles and then react when they are cast. This variety of characters, who each get their small amount of screen time, is one of the best aspects of the movie.
Things eventually turn even more serious. Marjorie is in an abusive relationship with a wealthy young man from the community. She has a secret she is keeping. Father Keene becomes more and more remote. He has a secret he is keeping. And Father Joyce begins a strange quest for redemption and the fate of the church in this town is riding on it.
All of the actors are very good in their roles. Wall has a young Robert Redford look to him, and he completely conveys the aloofness his character requires. Sean Patrick Brennan is believable as the loveable and likeable priest, and Kerry Brennan perfectly conveys the heartache of Marjorie’s life. Brennan Wall is angelic as Noelle.
The film is rated PG for mild violence and adult themes.
“Noelle” is a good movie to see with your family this holiday season. It paints the picture of people who are not perfect but who are striving to be better than they are. There is a lesson in that for all of us to learn.
I scored “Noelle” a joyful 6 out of 10.
