Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    The Movie Buff
    Subscribe
    • Home
    • About
      • Critics
      • Press & Testimonials
      • Friends of the Buff
      • Terms of Use
      • Thank You!
    • Film Reviews & Coverage
      • Movie Reviews
      • TV/Streaming Reviews
      • Film Festival Coverage
      • Interviews
    • Podcasts
    • Indie Film
      • Reviews & Articles
    • Advertise
    • Contact
      • Write for us
    The Movie Buff
    Comedy

    Review: ‘The Noel Diary’ a Wonderfully Predictable — Yet Warm — Close Out to the Holiday Season

    Matthew Heneghan By Matthew HeneghanDecember 31, 2022No Comments2 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email Copy Link
    The Noel Diary
    Justin Hartley and Barrett Doss in "The Noel Diary." (Photo: Netflix Studios).
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Email Copy Link

    As a writer, I always find myself, perhaps unsurprisingly so, drawn to author archetypes when featured in motion picture films. Sometimes I enjoy the movie, sometimes less so — “The Noel Diary” happens to be one of those pleasant occurrences where love of character and film harmoniously unite.

    The story begins in Chicago, following Jacob Turner (Justin Hartley), a renowned author celebrating the launch of his latest wildly successful novel. The film depicts Jacob as a slightly guarded character that uses deflection as a barrier between he and any who wish to get close to him…including his rapturous fans.

    As the opening scenes unfold, it’s revealed to us that Jacob is a man marred by past traumas, and much like an onion, layers of his past are given to us with tears in tow.

    At its core, “The Noel Diary” is a holiday movie about love and family; on a deeper level, it’s a heart wrenching fable that holds many deep tangibles. The theme of love and loss are instantly relatable.

    If you’re in the market for a meaningful holiday movie, then “The Noel Diary” is one not to miss.

    The cast, characters and story are all in perfect measurement here, and it culminates in a wonderful guilty pleasure of predictable storytelling and Christmas movie magic.

    Santa happily gives this Christmas gem, an A+!

     

     

     

     

    “The Noel Diary” is currently available to watch on Netflix via subscription. 

    Barrett Doss Bonnie Bedelia Charles Shyer Holiday Justin Hartley netflix romance writer
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleReview: ‘Aftersun,’ Charlotte Wells’ Triumphant Debut Feature, is Among the Year’s Best Films
    Next Article Review: ‘Mulholland Drive’ Surrealist-Styled Neo-Noir Psychological Thriller courtesy of David Lynch
    Matthew Heneghan

    Born in the U.K., Matthew immigrated to Canada at age five. He grew up among the beautiful expanse of coniferous pines that decorate the landscape of British Columbia. After serving as a paramedic for fifteen years, he retired from frontline service due to a diagnosis of PTSD. Matthew began writing and has since published two memoirs, and has been published into several other anthologies.

    Related Posts

    Independent June 15, 2025

    ‘Honeyjoon’ Tribeca Review: A Tender—If Tonally Uneven—Study on the Stubborn Bonds Between Mothers and Daughters

    Interview June 13, 2025

    Interview: Oscar Nominee Jessica Sanders On Her Upcoming Comedy Short, ‘I Want To Feel Fun’

    Independent June 12, 2025

    Tribeca Review: ‘A Tree Fell in the Woods’—But the Drama Barely Rustled

    World Cinema June 11, 2025

    ‘Cuerpo Celeste’ Tribeca Review: A Solar Eclipse Over Grief and Growing Up

    TV Series June 11, 2025

    TV Review: How Seth Rogen’s ‘The Studio’ Marries Art and Commerce—and Why It Resonates as a Masterpiece

    Movie Review June 10, 2025

    ‘The Day After’ Review: Epic TV Movie Demonstrates the 80s Don’t Hold Punches

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Latest Posts

    ‘Honeyjoon’ Tribeca Review: A Tender—If Tonally Uneven—Study on the Stubborn Bonds Between Mothers and Daughters

    By Paul Emmanuel EnicolaJune 15, 20250

    Interview: Oscar Nominee Jessica Sanders On Her Upcoming Comedy Short, ‘I Want To Feel Fun’

    By Vidal DcostaJune 13, 20250

    Tribeca Review: ‘A Tree Fell in the Woods’—But the Drama Barely Rustled

    By Paul Emmanuel EnicolaJune 12, 20250

    ‘Cuerpo Celeste’ Tribeca Review: A Solar Eclipse Over Grief and Growing Up

    By Paul Emmanuel EnicolaJune 11, 20250
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Indie Film Highlights

    ‘Honeyjoon’ Tribeca Review: A Tender—If Tonally Uneven—Study on the Stubborn Bonds Between Mothers and Daughters

    By Paul Emmanuel EnicolaJune 15, 20250

    A curious trend emerged across several films at this year’s Tribeca Festival: characters retreating to…

    Interview: Oscar Nominee Jessica Sanders On Her Upcoming Comedy Short, ‘I Want To Feel Fun’

    By Vidal DcostaJune 13, 20250

    Tribeca Review: ‘A Tree Fell in the Woods’—But the Drama Barely Rustled

    By Paul Emmanuel EnicolaJune 12, 20250

    Indie Psychological Thriller ‘Audrey’ Releases First Trailer

    By Mark ZiobroJune 10, 20250

    ‘On a String’ Tribeca Review: Isabel Hagen’s Viola-Playing Heroine Finds Humor in Stagnation

    By Paul Emmanuel EnicolaJune 8, 20250
    Spotlight on Classic Film

    ‘Gone With the Wind’ Review: Epic Film from the Golden Age of Hollywood

    ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’ QCinema 2024 Review: A Thoughtful, If Rushed, Study of Revenge and Redemption

    ‘Thirteen Women’ Review: A Precursor of the Slasher Genre, with a Devilishly Divine Femme Fatale at its Helm

    “The Twilight Zone” Top 60 Episodes Ranked – Episodes 60-46

    The Movie Buff is a growing cinema and entertainment website devoted to covering Hollywood cinema and beyond. We cover all facets of film and television, from Netflix and Amazon Prime to theater releases and comfort favorites.

    The Movie Buff is also a leading supporter of indie film, featuring coverage of small, low-budget films and international cinema from Bollywood, Latin America, and beyond.

    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube LinkedIn
    Copyright @2011-2025 by The Movie Buff | Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.