This year, there’s a new and refreshing rom-com on the market. It’s called “Christmas.” And it’s different than the others.
Netflix’s new romantic drama, “The Noel Diary,” tells the story of Jake Turner (played by actor and musician Austin Butler), a talented writer who is compelled to explore his past following the passing of his mother. Jake visits his mom’s house to settle the matter with her property, but he soon meets a well-read girl named Rachel (played by actress and singer Erika Henningsen) who is also looking for her biological mother. The two form an unlikely friendship as they spend Christmas together in Jake’s childhood home. ..
Jake discovers a hidden journal that contains Rachel’s and his backstory in addition to explanations concerning their past. Despite hailing from different worlds, both of their experiences are connected by a common thread.
Rachel and Jake set out on an adventure together to learn about their history and discover what they have been hoping for this Christmas. Despite Rachel being engaged, there is an instant connection between them that is fueled by their journey to visit Jake’s distant father in an effort to find out more information concerning Rachel’s mom. Both of them must face their own struggles and anxieties as their journey takes various turns.
While the storyline maintains the features of a traditional rom-drama, it deviates from being a typical Christmas flick by not making the holiday the primary focus. Additionally, the two leads characters have depth and compelling backstories, elevating this Christmassy rom-com above most “love blossoms in late December” flicks.
The rom-com is set in the fictional town of West Egg on Long Island during the winter of 2020. The town is a small, close-knit community that has been around for many years and has seen its share of heartache. The residents have a lot in common, but they also have a lot to lose. One of the main characters, played by Emma Roberts, is struggling with her relationship with her husband (played by Jason Sudeikis). They are both working hard to keep their home and their family together, but they are also struggling with the aftermath of his death.
The movie gradually succumbs to the Christmassy tradition though, as Jake finally confronts his past and Rachel considers how her love for Jake is hindered by her fiancé.
The Noel Diary is a touching story of love and familial bonds that is emotionally rich. The drama is well-written and delivers a powerful message about the importance of family.
The movie still has a few tropes though, namely that involving a premise about a careless fiancé who can be discarded easily. The main character struggles to leave him, but that only seems to be the case because he gives her stability. Since it’s a romantic drama, we can’t expect much in the morality aspect, but there should’ve at least been a suggestion of an internal dilemma, which doesn’t seem to be present at all.
The film’s cinematography is captivating and uplifting, lending it a Christmas-themed touch. The movie’s cinematographer did an excellent job of trying to capture the sequences that evoke a sentimental and uplifting mood throughout the rom-com. It is incredibly breathtaking to witness sequences like the one when Jake and Rachel celebrate Christmas at Jake’s birthplace and another where they witness the heavy snowfall. It’s indeed reasonable to conclude that the cinematography of the flick significantly contributes to its appeal.
Justin Hartley is a terrific choice for the role of Jake. He has immersed himself fully in the role and displayed all of the character’s nuanced emotional complexities.
This drama is a light-hearted diversion from the overdone, clichéd Christmas movies that appear at this point of the year. The plot is loaded with emotionally rich and tragic pasts, Christmas adventure, and, unfortunately, a slightly cliched tale of easily ditching a fiancé once “true love” shows. The two leads exemplify that these Christmassy romances can deviate from festive genre conventions without compromising chemistry in favor of a darker theme.
Noel Gallagher has announced that he is retiring from music. Gallagher made the announcement in a blog post on his website, writing that he is “happy to say goodbye” to his fans. Gallagher says that he plans to focus on his family and other projects in the future. Gallagher’s retirement comes as a surprise, as he has not released an album since 2013’s High Flying Birds. In recent years, Gallagher has been more focused on his solo career and touring commitments with Oasis. ..
