Carol of the Bells
Earnest, inclusive, diverse, but flawed holiday tale.
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Carol of the Bells
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Carol of the Bells is a holiday story with strong themes of parental loss, adoption, and family. A violent car crash is shown with some detail, but no gore, injuries, or aftermath. A married couple kiss and cuddle in bed wearing pajamas. "Damn" is used once. Adults hold alcoholic beverages at a party. Lots of positive role models and representations of a wide range of developmental abilities and diverse ethnicities. Overall messages are very positive about letting go of the past and family unity.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
In CAROL OF THE BELLS, Scott (RJ Mitte) is so deeply troubled by his past that he doesn't want anything to do with celebrating Christmas or birthdays. When he was 5, he was in a terrible car accident on his birthday (which is on Christmas Eve) in which his adoptive parents died. He was never adopted after that and grew up in foster and group homes. Christmas is such a difficult time for him that he cuts himself off from his family every year until it's over. He also has a lot of anger and bitterness toward the birth mother (Andrea F. Friedman) he never knew. When he hires a private investigator to try to locate her, he learns some surprising truths about the circumstances of his placement for adoption. Scott's reluctant to face the truth about his past, but it just may be the only way forward.
Is It Any Good?
This well-intentioned and heartwarming movie deserves admiration for its inclusive and diverse cast that reflects a variety of people, especially those with developmental differences, onscreen. Unfortunately, Carol of the Bells falls short in too many other areas to be a truly winning drama. A couple of glaring continuity problems confuse the time line. Just when the script seems poised to take on a compelling aspect of some of the issues raised, it's dropped without ceremony and heads off in a less interesting direction. There's no subtlety here, and there's also no room for a multifaceted look at the issues raised.
Its pace is quiet and slow, which isn't bad by itself, but it spends way too much time wallowing in Scott's anger and inability to forgive his birth mother. That being said, the predictable ending still manages to tug at the heartstrings. Physical differences aren't addressed (no one uses any adaptive device or technology), but families looking for inclusive representation of developmental differences won't be disappointed.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about inclusion and diversity in Carol of the Bells. Why is it important to show different types and abilities of people in the media? What can we learn from getting to know lots of different kinds of people and characters?
How much did you know about adoption and foster care before you saw this movie? Did you learn anything new?
How does this movie show the importance of family for support and understanding through life's difficulties?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: March 3, 2020
- Cast: Yuly Mireles, RJ Mitte, Andrea F. Friedman
- Director: Joey Travolta
- Studio: High Octane Pictures
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Holidays
- Run time: 100 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: March 12, 2023
Our Editors Recommend
-
Intelligent Lives
Gentle docu about people with disabilities tackling life.
-
Radio
Lesson of kindness permeates inspiring true story.
-
Wonder
Earnest, emotional book adaptation has strong messages.
For kids who love dramas
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate