I just watched this movie, and it was such a satisfying experience. Before I go on, I want to apologize for an earlier review in which I said Natalie Hall can't act. Apparently, that was simply because the movie I was reviewing then - a dopey little nonsensical film called "Fly Away with Me" - gave the actors nothing to work with.
Natalie Hall was great in "Noel Next Door" as a newly divorced mom raising her son. Corey Sevier, who can always be relied upon to give an outstanding performance, went even beyond that in this role. He performance was so true and moving.
I loved the realistic settings of this movie. The romance didn't blossom on a tropical island, on a rugged mountain, or in an ice castle. The pair, unaware that they were neighbors in a condo community, met in a diner, and again in the local drugstore.
The chemistry between the two actors was terrific, and when the character, Noel, told her sister that what she felt for Sevier's character, Jeremy, was not a spark but "a flame," I believed her.
They both played the instant mutual attraction extremely well. (The script and direction were great. There was no coy, goofy, unauthentic stumbling over objects or words. Those scenes in other movies often feel so artificial.)
I loved the true-to-life dialogue and honest reactions of the characters. For instance, when things go terribly awry, (as they must at some point in a Hallmark movie!) Sevier's character goes home and downs a couple of glasses of what appears to be vodka and falls asleep on the couch. Some of us may be teetotalers, but I think most of us can relate to the feelings!
Their difficulties, which involve conflict between Noel's young son and Jeremy (who doesn't realize the boy is her son,) wind up being resolved in a very believable and satisfying way.
I keep using the word "satisfying" because it's so nice to see a romance you can really imagine ordinary people in any community experiencing. No one is a rising sports star or a once-famous author.
This is just an excellent movie. The words that come to mind are: honest, worthy, classic, relatable, moving. You'll love it.
Natalie Hall was great in "Noel Next Door" as a newly divorced mom raising her son. Corey Sevier, who can always be relied upon to give an outstanding performance, went even beyond that in this role. He performance was so true and moving.
I loved the realistic settings of this movie. The romance didn't blossom on a tropical island, on a rugged mountain, or in an ice castle. The pair, unaware that they were neighbors in a condo community, met in a diner, and again in the local drugstore.
The chemistry between the two actors was terrific, and when the character, Noel, told her sister that what she felt for Sevier's character, Jeremy, was not a spark but "a flame," I believed her.
They both played the instant mutual attraction extremely well. (The script and direction were great. There was no coy, goofy, unauthentic stumbling over objects or words. Those scenes in other movies often feel so artificial.)
I loved the true-to-life dialogue and honest reactions of the characters. For instance, when things go terribly awry, (as they must at some point in a Hallmark movie!) Sevier's character goes home and downs a couple of glasses of what appears to be vodka and falls asleep on the couch. Some of us may be teetotalers, but I think most of us can relate to the feelings!
Their difficulties, which involve conflict between Noel's young son and Jeremy (who doesn't realize the boy is her son,) wind up being resolved in a very believable and satisfying way.
I keep using the word "satisfying" because it's so nice to see a romance you can really imagine ordinary people in any community experiencing. No one is a rising sports star or a once-famous author.
This is just an excellent movie. The words that come to mind are: honest, worthy, classic, relatable, moving. You'll love it.