Christmas Tree Drama Finds Low-Key Warmth

After a ten-year journey from its initial US release, Charles Poekel's directorial debut has finally reached the UK. This independent drama, characterized by its ultra-low budget and authentic indie style, centers on a single 24-hour period at a pop-up Christmas tree stall. The film avoids overt sentimentality, with Poekel's distinct directorial voice offering a more grounded perspective on the festive season, subtly infusing it with a gentle warmth.

The narrative follows Noel, played by Kentucker Audley, as he returns for his fifth year selling Christmas trees in Brooklyn. Working through the cold and sleeping in a meager caravan, Noel is alone this year, nursing a broken heart. The film adopts a documentary-like feel, capturing mundane customer interactions and Noel's palpable weariness, both physical and emotional, suggesting a man who has seen better days.

While the plot is deliberately understated, featuring moments like Noel rescuing a woman who had passed out, these scenes lead to genuinely moving exchanges. As Noel delivers trees across New York, these interactions offer glimmers of good cheer. Shot on beautifully textured 16mm film, Poekel's naturalistic approach makes the lack of subsequent films a notable absence.