The Noel Diary

IN A NUTSHELL: This feel-good holiday rom-com is based on the book by Richard Paul Evans. The film is directed by Charles Shyer who co-wrote it with David Golden. THINGS I LIKED: Justin Hartley makes for the perfect rich bachelor in movies. He also worked as the executive producer of the movie. Barrett Doss is absolutely lovely and has a gorgeous singing voice. What a delightful surprise! Beautiful and unexpected musical number. I need to learn how to play the piano. My parents forced me to take lessons when I was a little girl, but I wanted to be out dancing instead, so I quit after a year or so. I wish I had understood the power of music back then. There’s an interesting mystery to solve. The tree in the picture was such a tenderly-sweet detail. THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE: Some weird, choppy editing moments. Movies like this set up unrealistic expectations in many ways. For example, what hotel rooms come with fireplaces or trays of candles? The friendship between the two characters feels benign for the majority of the movie. Then suddenly, the romance takes over hard and fast all while one of the characters remained engaged to someone else. It’s very cheesy and predictable. Some ineffective green-screen moments. TIPS FOR PARENTS: Unmarried people sleep together. A young woman gets knocked up Infidelity

Maybe a little better than the other copy and paste Christmas movies that come out every year. Still features your favorite laughably predictable moments. And there was a extended scene on a hospital roof in frigid weather because?????