‘Tis the season to be jolly fa la la la laaaa and with that comes a whole barrage of Christmas movies, of which The Noel Diary is one.
But unlike the usual sweetness overload, this has a little more drama. Of course, it still comes with all of the holiday tropes – carol singers, lots of snow, twinkly lights etc…but at least it has a little more edge.
What Is The Noel Diary About?
Popular author Jake Turner (Justin Hartley) has come back home at Christmas to settle his estranged mother’s estate. While clearing everything out, a young woman arrives at the house and tells him that she is trying to find her mother.
She's called Rachel and it turns out that her mother used to work for the Turner family as their nanny. The problem is that she doesn't even know her name. And the only person that might be able to help is Jake's father who he hasn't seen in over 30 years.
But deciding to help her out and maybe resolve a few demons from his own past, Jake and Rachel (Barrett Doss) take a road trip to find his father.
Along the way they realise that an old diary Jake found in the house could actually be written by Rachel's mother, Noel Ellis – hence the name of the movie – The Noel Diary.
Together, they embark on a journey to confront their pasts and discover a future that's totally unexpected.
The Noel Diary Trailer
The Noel Diary Release Date
The Noel Diary is directed by Charles Shyer, and produced by Margret H. Huddleston, Stephanie Slack and Ridoyanul Hoq.
Writers include Rebecca Connor, David Golden, Charles Shyer and Richard Paul Evans, who wrote the book the movie is based on.
Netflix scheduled The Noel Diary to be released on November 24, 2022.
Is The Noel Diary Worth Watching?
This is a Christmas movie packed with will-they-won't-they romance, drama and a quest to find answers to long-buried secrets. Basically, it has a ready-made audience. If you love these films, you'll love The Noel Diary.
If, on the other hand, you normally run for the hills at the first sight of a snowfall and a Christmas carol, then this isn't for you.
Justin Hartley and Barrett Doss are great together, and their on-screen chemistry as two people trying to find themselves is excellent and really believable.
But as with all holiday movies, the story is a little far-fetched and requires a suspension of belief. Because ultimately, what you have is two beautiful people who bond over a shared past, sort out all their problems and fall in love.
Sweet, but it's hardly the stuff of a masterpiece! Good for Christmas but doubtful you'll be going back for a repeat watch.
The Noel Diary Netflix Cast
Justin Hartley (Senior Year) as Jake Turner, who returns to settle his estranged mother's estate before meeting Rachel
Barrett Doss as Rachel, an intriguing young woman who is trying to find out about her birth mother and finds a diary that may hold the answers she needs.
James Remar as Jake's estranged father
Bonnie Bedelia
Essence Atkins
Vivian Full as Shari
Aaron Costa Ganis
Andrea Sooch as Svetlana
