Un nouveau départ pour Noël

I would say I don't understand the low rating, but I do. Many people want a predictable boy meets girl falls in love movie. This is not that and that's is refreshing! The off the beaten path storyline is what makes this movie a winner to me. If you want a unique story with an unpredictable ending then this movie is for you. Life is not a story book fairy tale. Real life doesn't always work that way and this movie captures that in the main character's conflicting relationships, feelings of false guilt and despair after a devastating loss, followed by a glimmer of hope and purpose chance meeting that.

I was excited to see a film featuring diverse cast and I love Christmas movies but this was awful.

This is what happens when you check all the boxes other than the ones you need to make a good movie. Another outcome no one would remember.

So if you're looking for that, look elsewhere. If you're open to a different kind of movie that happens to be set at Christmas, carry on. And be aware that if you have no context for the expectations many Indian families have for their children, you're going to miss some of the deeper nuances.

That said, this isn't a brilliant movie. The script is only so-so. The male lead is clearly not cut out for tragic roles, and just looks sulky in the early scenes. Once he is allowed to smile his performance improves. The women are only there to revolve around him and I'd have liked to see more of their personalities/lives.

The film does give a look at the holiday through the eyes of characters for whom neither the religious nor the commercial meanings of the season are 'traditional' and that, while not beating us about the head & shoulders with the alternate perspectives, is a good feature.

And New York City, as ever, is shown in all its magical holiday garb, which can never be a bad thing.

I must say, i love the fact that they got Kioni's accent right in this movie. I hate it when they cast a black person for a character that originates from Africa and regardless of their African origins East, West, Central or North give them a Southern African accent. Kudos to Grace for representing East Africa so well. Everything about her was so Kenyan. From her Maasai market earrings down to the little mannerisms and of course her accent! If she'd have added "ME, I....." somewhere in her speech that would have just made my day. But all in all, loved the movie, the plot was simple yet touching and almost relatable.