This is a wonderful story that I did not see as anti-Catholic. There are some mildly disturbing elements and opinions, but nothing sacriligious or defamatory with regard to the Church. In fact, the Catholic faith played a huge part, especially with regard to the positvity of forgiveness and redemption. The idea that a priest is conflicted turns out to be a positive element. The other priest's faith is also validated.The conflicts are played out in the presence of many prodigal parishoners, with positive results. If you want anti-Catholic, just pay attention to the current Pope and all of the molestation scandals. Like our government, the church has been infested with evil people for decades, but you don't throw the baby out with the bath water. I haven't been to mass in years, but after seeing this movie, I just may reconsider this Christmas. Peace to all.

I generally tend to resist Christmas movies and did not exactly leap at the opportunity to spend another hour and a half simmering in Hollywood-fabricated pseudo-cheer. However, I was pleasantly surprised right from the outset by many of the striking images and east-coast winter locations. As the film developed I found myself genuinely interested in the story and when it was all over, I was shocked to find that not only had I enjoyed a "Christmas movie", but would certainly watch it again if given the chance, even if it wasn't Christmas time.

While some overly "zealous" types may be offended by the use of a priest as one of the main characters, I felt the entire story came across tastefully while still maintaining enough of an edge to make for an interesting story. As for the rest of the characters, they come off as a combination of well acted professional productions coupled with charming "man-on-the-street" types for the supporting roles.

Compared to the amount of high-dollar "all-flash, no-substance" productions being cranked out of late, I found what was simply an interesting story about interesting characters to be genuinely refreshing.

"Noelle" is a movie that is both wonderfully subtle and profound in the message it delivers. It is a Christmas movie, not because of the beautifully filmed winter landscape or the softly illuminated lighting, but because its' characters experience the true essence of Christmas: forgiveness.

The character development is slow and methodical, almost predictable at first. However, as the story progresses, the reserved tension between the two priests builds, forcing the true person within both characters to bubble to the surface, spilling out in an unexpected manner.

The movies music does a splendid job of capturing the loneliness many people feel at Christmas, and the main characters in Noelle are no different.

The story is not predictable in its' outcome from the outset, although an hour or so into it, the viewer gets a feeling it may twist in a certain direction because you almost want it to.

I felt great empathy for the character of Father Keane, because his job was the one no one would relish in doing. It is a thankless position that keeps him at arms length with the Church, the Almighty, and himself, creating an empty life within the shell of a "holy man".

If you are expecting gags and laughs to be dished out like Halloween candy like so many cheesy, box office hits, you will be disappointed. The real humor is in the dry wit and the naiveté of the characters that lay just below the surface throughout the movie. Save the fact that Father Keane does not know how to ride a scooter very well and takes some very predictable falls in the snow and ice, the real laughs will be within yourself as you begin to recognize members of your family, or even the person you see in the mirror, in how each character reacts to one another.

The movie has a serious message and is not for younger audiences because of the subject matter, but is tastefully done without explicit information being thrown in for dramatic effect.

I found Noelle heart-warming, well-done, and definitely a movie that will be on my Christmas watch list each year.