Noel

A man pushes another into knocking over a Christmas tree; the victim says he has a split lip but no blood is visible. A man pushes an elderly man, who then collapses. A man says he breaks peoples' hands for money. A man kicks things and knocks them over in a rage. An emergency room shows lots of traumas and people in pain, but no gore or blood. People tell about past violence, like an abusive stepfather who eventually broke a kid's nose in three places, or a man who committed manslaughter during a jealous rage. A woman tells of how she gave birth on Christmas and the baby died the same day.

A couple are seen in bed; he's topless, she's wearing lingerie, sex is implied. A few kisses, including one close-up of a slow kiss. A woman dances in a very short slip; extensive shots of her buttocks show partial cheeks. A woman thinks she might be pregnant; she's shown buying a home test and waiting for results. A friend tells Rose she needs sex. A man makes sexual advances, the woman says she's uncomfortable, and the man leaves but is clearly unhappy, implying that there's something wrong with the woman. A comic song mentions a male stripper. Many people assume Mike is gay; it doesn't upset him, but he tries and usually fails to clarify his preference. A woman climbs on top of a man in the front car seat. A man trying to convince another to go out with two women says, "I get the redhead."

Rare: "hell," "damn it," and "bulls--t."

Several scenes take place in a bar. Adults have wine with dinner, mention having a nightcap. A woman says she has eggnog but not real liquor. A woman has a couple of shots in a bar. A man mentions he got a little eggnog with booze in it when he was 14.

Parents need to know that Noel is a low-key Christmas tearjerker with adult characters and situations that are unlikely to hold the interest of tweens and under. The strongest messages are about letting go of the past so that you can live the life you were meant to live, but it also presents food for thought about the nature of love and the power of forgiveness as the characters learn and grow over one Christmas Eve. There are a few pushes, mention of a split lip, and an emergency-room setting, but no blood or gore are shown. Past violence is told in a couple of stories and includes some details about a man who was physically abused as a child and about another who accidentally killed someone in a jealous rage. A few kisses are shown, sex is implied when a couple is shown in bed, and a woman thinks she might be pregnant. Iffy messages include objectifying a woman's buttocks, a woman being advised that she needs sex and should be with someone, and advising the fiancee of a jealous man with a quick temper that she should try again to stay with him because real love is worth fighting for. Strong language is rare but includes one "bulls--t." Robin Williams fans should note that he makes an uncredited but important appearance as an unhappy, depressed character.

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