Chazz Palminteri makes his feature debut in the director's chair with "Noel," an achingly maudlin serving of holiday cheer about a group of damaged New York souls whose seemingly disparate lives intersect in unexpected ways. There's always room for a bit of Christmas-themed spiritual uplifting (2000's "Family Man" is a good example), but David Hubbard's script is so steeped in sludgy sentimentality that the film's early hints of quirkiness quickly give way to heavy-handed faith healing. Like many productions before it, "Noel" is clearly positioning itself as a modern-day "It's a Wonderful Life," but even with a supportive cast headed by Susan Sarandon and Penelope Cruz, this Toronto fest Special Presentation would probably be a better fit on the more forgiving small screen.

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