Marc Lawrence directs Anna Kendrick, Bill Hader and Shirley MacLaine in this Christmas movie where Santa’s daughter must track down her brother in the real world after he runs away from inheriting the family birthright.

Anna Kendrick sparkles as the eponymous Noelle, in a kids movie performance that is expertly open yet hides a quality thread of keen self awareness. I don’t think we will challenge Elf, the most obvious inspiration, yet this is far more likely to become a surviving seasonal perennial than Fred Claus or Arthur Christmas. There’s enough unabashed joy and charm here to buoy up the formula. Sometimes simplicity, good production design and a nice smile is all you need when you put the decorations up and want to get in the festive mood.

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Perfect Double Bill: Santa Claus The Movie (1985)

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We also do a podcast together called The Worst Movies We Own. It is available on Spotify or here https://letterboxd.com/bobbycarroll/list/the-worst-movies-we-own-podcast-ranking-and/