Nativity! (2009)

This movie is playing on Showtime, and I've been laid up in bed with nothing much to do but read, surf the web and watch TV, so thank god for Showtime!! This movie initially was something I avoided, since I usually really hate kid movies. But strike that; I learned that I really hated *American* kid movies; British kiddie films (and romcoms) are so much better and much more fun. Although Brit humour is right up front, these movies tend not to be dripping with the kind of bottomless cynicism and coy promotion of greedy materialism that lies at the heart of most American movies aimed at the rated G set.

For example, in Nativity!, all the kids come from decidedly the underprivileged and underdog working classes, and their chief rival is a posh upper-class school. In an American film, the gold at the heart of the rainbow would have been literally that: gold. The kids would somehow end up fabulously rich at the end, and their poor, belabored working class parents would now able to buy them everything they could possibly want at Christmastime--the true American dream. In Nativity!, all they really want to do is put on a wicked good holiday show and maybe get their depressed teacher back with his girl. Christmas is not nearly as commercialized and monetized in Europe and the UK, and this aspect is very refreshing whilst watching a movie about the one season that American has utterly and completely ruined. I'm usually quite the grinch about our holiday season, but watching this movie made me happy that all the world is not American. (I'm waiting for someone to call me un-American and a Euro Socialist, hee hee) The musical scene at the end; the Nativity play in all its glory, is stupendous. Simply put, the songs are so catchy that I actually had to buy the soundtrack, which will be a neat from-leftfield addition to the usual hackneyed Christmas music selection. (Note to Americans: in general, the Brits have it all over us in the Xmas music department. They have a yearly holiday music competition, and some pretty great songs have come out of it. Whenever I play my Brit Xmas CDs, everyone is instantly singing along to songs they've heard for the first time, and asking me who it is.) The staging of the kids and the way they handled modernizing the nativity theme for the 7-13 set was really quite amazing. For instance, all of the kids want to please their parents who've never had a chance at anything grest, and want to play the Mary or Joseph role. So, the teacher devises a way in which they ALL can individually be Mary and Joseph in the staging of one of the central musical numbers. Great costumes and sets, and I liked that the kids were NOT too-cutesy, been-there-done-that Hollywood kid pros, as would have been the case in anything American. (One reviewer expressed relief in being able to take her pre-teen girl to see something fun that didn't feature Hanna Montana and shopping: too true!) Some of the kids really can sing, and the ones who are just OK make up for it in pure enjoyment of what they're doing. As others have mentioned, I LOVED the little sprite who played Bob, with his funny strong country accent and rock-n-roll attitude. I imagine I'll be seeing more of that kid; he's too cute and full of a natural energy to slip through the cracks.

Fmovies: Premiering on BBC2 over the Christmas period, I decided to catch-up with it even if I disliked the look of it from the trailer over two years ago. My first impressions were wrong.

Freeman plays his hassled teacher role straight (and very believably) so it's up to Wooton to be the clownish man-child, providing most of the laughs although Freeman has hilariously great 'WTF?' expressions in reaction to his co-star's antics. Ferris is the head, who's like the typical didactic staff member, who just wants to keep everything under control. Carr plays an exaggerated version of himself as a critic, Jensen is sweet as Freeman's ex, Watkin's plays his role broadly, pretty much a panto villain and the kids are alright, with the smallest boy stealing the show at nearly every opportunity. Those who remember Britain's Got Talent from the first series will spot some familiar faces.

The pacing is pretty good and it never felt plodding anywhere, so kudos for the editing - some shots could've been a bit longer, so I could've appreciated a scene more. It does have a very televisual look, as I said and the two primary schools must be the smallest I've ever seen as apart from the main two classes, the schools look pretty empty, so maybe they couldn't they afford extras? The plot is predictable, it had some some manipulatively mawkish scenes (although one main one actually did make me cry as the actor's voice faltered while he was talking) and it did go beyond 'suspension of disbelief' for the ending, but with that exclamation mark in the title, this was always going to be a festive farce, not to be taken too seriously.

The songs remind me of the cheerful exuberance some of Brittania High's songs had, so the Christmas primary school version of that is what the original music reminded me of. I didn't dislike any and would consider buying the OST.

Overall: When the laughs come, it delivers and it had a high laugh count, for me. The drama side isn't so great and feels contrived due to clunky writing. Some of the youngsters have good comic timing and are actually pretty natural when they aren't looking lost/gurning in a scene. But, like Teachers main focus, this about the adults and the kids are just ancillary members. In tone, it's sort of like a spin-off Waterloo Road - The Primary Nativity. It zips along nicely, has a joyful, likable soundtrack and although it had no real reason to be released in cinemas, it's better than I thought it would be and will become an annual watch in my home - 6/10.

Paul (Martin Freeman) was once an aspiring actor, like his friends. One man, Gordon Shakespeare, became a topnotch drama teacher and puts on an annual Nativity Play (very big in Britain) that garners lots of attention. Another friend and love interest, Jennifer, is in Hollywood, now a bigwig producer. But, alas, poor Paul. He is now an upper elementary teacher in a private, Catholic school, where his salary is low and his dreams have been dashed. Enter Mr. Poppy (Marc Wootton)! He is an unconventional teacher's aide that has been deposited on Paul by the well-meaning principal, Mrs. Bevan (Pam Ferris). It seems Poppy is a relative of hers and she's trying to help. Also, Mrs. B announces that Paul will be the director of THEIR school's Nativity Play this time round. Paul is flummoxed and irritated, none of his students seem to be able to sing or act. Neverthess, they adore Mr. Poppy at first sight and, in truth, his odd ways excite them to do better work. One day, most unluckily, Paul runs into the snooty Mr. Shakespeare, who tells of his future, elaborate productions. Loosing control, Paul blurts out that, well, Hollywood in the form of Jennifer is coming to see HIS, Paul's, play. What a fib! Word gets around soon, thanks to Mr. Poppy, who overhears the conversation. Newsfolk descend on Paul's school to find out more. But, how long will it be before the truth comes out? Will it cost Paul is job? This is one funny British Christmas film. Unlike the States, where religious presentations are forbidden under the Bill of Rights, Brits put on pageants each year honoring the true meaning of Xmas, the birth of Christ. (See Love Actually). Only, there is always a fresh take, an added sparkle. Paul's play is no different, sporting new songs and new characters, complete with real barnyard animals. There are FOUR kings in Paul's show, for example, in order to give a shy boy his chance. Mr. Poppy's lyrics and brainstorms also make for a unique re-telling. As such, Freeman and Wootton are perfect foils for each other, the one a straight arrow, the other a different drummer, and both give hilarious performances. All other cast members, including Ms. Ferris, are wonderful, too, as are the darling kids. Then, too, production values, from sets to costumes to script/direction add to the overall merriment here. Therefore, as one might guess, this viewer recommends a showing of Nativity in the near future of most film fans.

Nativity! fmovies. Nativity centres around a 30/40something primary school teacher who, being a loser in love, has allowed himself to become bitter and resentful towards his pupils.

Needless to say he needs to win back the love of his life and re-find his love for his job, and people in general.

It comfortably falls back on the rich British heritage for nicey nice romcoms and does a fair job. Not one aspect of any of the characters came as any surprise or helped to enrich a two dimensional plot - but who cares, its a Christmas heartwarmer and it does its job well.

Marc Wootton, in particular, was excellent as Mr Poppy and both his visual performance and his well drawn out character were responsible for the majority for the laughs - the remainder falling on the narrow shoulders of a funny looking kid, well cast for his comedic value, but possessed of a face that I was sick of seeing after 90 minutes of obvious set ups, but then that's probably because I'm as misanthropic as the lead character!

I took my seven year old daughter, and she absolutely loved it. If you're not a parent and hate children, this is definitely not for you. If, on the other hand, you love Christmas and still have a tender, warm spot in your heart then you could do a lot worse than to go and see this.

I went to see this film with my mum after a Christmas shopping trip and was amazed by how good it was. The problem with so many Christmas films is that the 'ideal Christmas' they end up presenting is American-centric and very materialistic, consequently it was very refreshing to watch a Christmas film about a non commercial British tradition. It was also a very sweet film that managed to stay the right side of saccharine, without giving away too much I liked how the film managed to be positive about all of it's characters and not just the obvious heroes. I also thought the film was genuinely funny and pitched at all levels well from the silly (the children's auditions) to the fairly witty ("Those who can't act, teach, and those who can't teach, teach primary school" isn't a line I'll be repeating to my teacher aunt). All in all this is a lovely Christmas film for the entire family!

Nativity is heartwarming and completely joyful.

It's about a teacher, Mr Maddens, who is so stressed about organising a Nativity play and meeting an old rival, that he tells the huge white lie that a Hollywood Studio, headed by his ex girlfriend, is coming to see his Nativity Play in Coventry! The lie spirals out of control and soon parents are asking if their kids are going to need Hollywood agents.

I loved the teachers, the British humour and of course the kids.

I was hooked into the world from the word go. I loved the rivalry between the two schools. The introduction of Mr Poppy created even more of a spark. The trip to Hollywood is hilarious and the 20 minute musical finale is stunning.

I took my 9 year old and her mates and they loved it. It's so rare that we can enjoy a film together that isn't about shopping and starring Hannah Montana!

I want to find out if there is a soundtrack.

It's so good to see a film that is just simply joyful. I think it's appeal will last for years.