A heartbroken Christmas tree salesman returns to NYC to work the night shift at a sidewalk Christmas tree lot. Living in a trailer, he begins to spiral downwards until he comes to the aid of a mysterious young woman in the park and some colorful customers rescue him from self-destruction.
Delicate and restrained, the film offers the messages of redemption and renewal we so often crave from a Christmas movie without wrapping its themes and characters in tinsel.
Poekel keeps things natural, letting Noel's sadness slowly permeate the atmosphere along with the scent of pine needles rather than ringing it out at high volume.
The most striking thing about it is its evocation of an extremely specific mood. Once we settle into it, and it happens early, everything else becomes possible.
Crafted with affection and attentive to workaday rhythms, this first feature from writer-director Charles Poekel demonstrates an authentic feel for the neighborhood, where he himself once sold trees.