Le Noël de mes 10 ans

A very loving Christmas story, well directed and played by a fine cast. The lead character is especially enjoyable, as such a story demands, and there is not the usual Hollywood overplay on bad versus good characters. Everyone has their own personality as people do, neither dastardly nor saintly, just people/kids. My wife and her sister watched it with me, we are TCM and movie fans in general. All three of us thoroughly enjoyed the movie. I did, by the way, experience many Catholic Christmas school plays as a child. Our parish priest was not a heavy drinker, he smoked a cigar, some of the nuns were certainly way out there, and the kids mostly looked at the old round clock waiting for 3pm. Lay teachers were uncommon but I had one in 4th grade, not as colorful as Molly Ringwald, but just as devoted.

Full disclosure, have read the book by Wally Lamb - truly a great American writer - upon which the movie is based. The book is a highly entertaining, compulsively readable, heartwarming novel -- and I'm happy to report that the film actually does the book justice!

Was lucky enough to attend a theatrical screening in NYC, and can definitely see this becoming one of those Christmas movies that everyone waits for, year after year, to be broadcast on TV, such as Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol starring George C. Scott and A Christmas Story...

The movie evokes the era quite wonderfully, the child actors are a talented group (and actually likable) -- standouts are the kid who plays Felix, the girl who plays his love interest/arch enemy (ah puberty), the kid who delivers his "NAACP" punchline perfectly throughout, especially at the very end of the movie, and the Russian student who resembles a 13 year-old Uma Thurman. Familiar faces include Molly Ringwald and the lady from Two and Half Men, and the the criminally underemployed Annabella Sciorra (great in her short stint - one season? - on Law & Order: Criminal Intent), who is lovely as Felix's mother.

An added bonus is that the movie has quite a few 'inside jokes' for anyone who has ever attended a parochial school, or who has any experience whatsoever with a "Live Nativity" or "Christmas Pageant."

If you are looking to kick off the holiday season, and pretty much smile from ear-to-ear for two hours straight, be sure to check out this movie. The best new Christmas-flavored movie to come along in a very long time...

While watching this film, the question of "Holiday Classic" kept coming to mind. First, we thoroughly enjoyed watching this film as a family. The story line is entertaining throughout. The pace is lively and engaging. The slice of time, along with vibrant writing helps bring nostalgia to the forefront. The bits of coming of age humor make the film just edgy enough to keep you surprised. The film has the feel of "A Christmas Story" without repeating it. The seasoned actors such as Molly Ringwald and Conchata Ferrell were great, but I think the young actors such as Wyatt Ralff, Quinn McColgan and Siobhan Cohen helped cement this film into Holiday Classic status.

Wonderful film to capture the spirit of the season and the feel of the times - well crafted, insightful story line about the inner lives of children delivered through the eyes and hearts of the kids. Even the parents are largely portrayed as how kids might see them. Of course Wally Lamb's book is a powerful inspiration but the acting, directing and every aspect of the film really does the book justice. Lamb has an amazing ability to get inside the heads of his characters and this film doesn't disappoint. Great fun - will help your kids understand how we baby boomers grew up! Loved the precise phrases of verbal kid disdain, "I know you are, but what am I?" Don't miss it.

The book was a great read. When I heard they made a movie, I had reservations. I was fortunate enough to attend the first showing and I'm glad I did. It was tastefully made and it doesn't matter how old you are, you will laugh from beginning to end. Wally knew what he wanted when he perfectly cast the six leading kids. Wyatt Ralff (Felix), Quinn McColgan (Rosalie), Olivia Pungitore (Pauline), Siobhon Cohen (Zhenya), Christopher Bogomus (Marion) and Shawn Ervin (Lonny). The kids acting abilities certainly stole the show, not to discredit Molly Ringwald, Annebella Sciora, Danny Nucci. In most movies, we all fall in love with the leading character and this is no different. Felix is adorable, talented and will be a household name real soon. The other kids very talented but we have seen their characters many times in many films. Zhenya (Siobhan Cohen) was fantastic and a breath of fresh air. My favorite has to go to a supporting role. I fell in love with Pauline Papelbon (Olivia Pungitore) who caught my attention since the trailer. Her strapping performance, shy, quiet demeanor had a powerful punch, along with those adorable cheeks, certain to see her in future films. Carmila Banus and Sosie Bacon performances fit their part perfectly. Meatloaf, Cheri Oteri, Blanche Baker, Conchata Ferell and Jesse James all cast sensational.