The 2008 drama “Noel” from Screen Media Films was directed by Chazz Palminteri with the screenplay written by Dave Hubbard. Starring: Susan Sarandon, Paul Walker, Penélope Cruz, Alan Arkin, Marcus Thomas, Sonny Marinelli, Daniel Sunjata, Chazz Palminteri, Rob Daly, John Doman, Billy Porter, Carmen Ejogo, Donna Hanover, Robin Williams, Merwin Mondesir and Una Kay.
It’s Christmas Eve and Rose Collins (Susan Sarandon) a divorced publisher without a companion is on her way to see her mother Helen (Una Kay), who is currently in the hospital suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. Rose is praying for a miracle and as she enters her mother’s room and sees her staring blankly ahead, she speaks to her and places Christmas presents on her lap, but Helen doesn’t respond. She sees a comatose patient in the next room and goes in to hang up a crystal angel in the window and meets Charlie Boyd (Robin Williams).
Just a few days ago young, vibrant Nina Vasquez (Penélope Cruz) was busy planning her wedding with her fiancé Mike (Paul Walker), a police officer and has an intense jealous streak. But the other day after Mike drops her off at work, he saw her embrace another man and automatically assumed that Nina was having an affair. Without trust how can they marry so Nina broke off her engagement with him, but she misses him.
Jules Calvert (Marcus Thomas) and Glenn (Merwin Mondisir), are sitting in a diner and Jules tells the story of when he was 14 years old and had to spend Christmas in the hospital because he broke his nose. Glenn listens patiently and then reminds Jules about the money he owes him.
Mike enters the same diner to have coffee with his partner Dennis (Sonny Marinelli). As he settles in, the waiter Artie (Alan Arkin) brings Mike coffee and complimentary cookies. When they leave the diner Artie tells Mike that it’s been a long time and Mike doesn’t understand what Artie means. He tells him that he must have him mistaken for someone else.
Rose goes to work and is surprised to be asked out on a date by a coworker Marco (Daniel Sunjata). She is a bit uncomfortable with the differences in their age and when Marco wants to become intimate, she refuses. Rose goes for a walk and is attracted to a house playing music, she helps a woman bring things into the house and sees Nina crying. They decide to go to a bar and have a drink, Nina tells Rose her story. Rose listens patiently and tells her that true love is precious and if she has found it do her best to hold on to it.
