Metacritic Movie Ratings
Merry Christmas Reviews

A sample of reviews from critics across the country.

• 90

  out of 100

  VarietyLisa Nesselson

  A period drama marbled with humor, bold gestures and bittersweet consequences.

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• 90

  out of 100

  The Hollywood ReporterRay Bennett

  With a cast of Scottish, German and French actors all speaking their own language, writer-director Christian Carion has fashioned a deeply moving and uplifting piece.

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• 88

  out of 100

  USA TodayClaudia Puig

  Joyeux Nol is gritty and disturbing with its extended scenes of war and destruction. It also is emotional, even a touch sentimental.

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• 75

  out of 100

  Chicago Sun-TimesRoger Ebert

  Its sentimentality is muted by the thought that this moment of peace actually did take place, among men who were punished for it, and who mostly died soon enough afterward.

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• 70

  out of 100

  Los Angeles TimesCarina Chocano

  The uncomplicated humanism of Joyeux Nol, with its Christmas message of peace, feels at once irrefutable and refreshing.

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• 50

  out of 100

  The New York TimesStephen Holden

  If the film's sentiments about the madness of war are impeccably high-minded, why then does Joyeux Nol, an Oscar nominee for best foreign-language film, feel as squishy and vague as a handsome greeting card declaring peace on earth?

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See all Merry Christmas movie reviews at Metacritic.com