Review : Nativity

Nativity : An improvised comedy set at Christmas in which a primary school teacher gets his class together, to perform a Nativity play. For Mr Maddens it will be a challenge and a Christmas to remember.

Hey everyone

Excited for Christmas? because I am. I've always found it to be such a wonderful time, about togetherness and celebrations. What a better film to sum up Christmas than this film 'Nativity' an improvised drama directed by Debbie Isitt.

The films stars Martin Freeman, Marc Wootton, Jason Watkins, Alan Carr, Ricky Tomlinson with Ashley Jenson and Pam Ferris. As far as casting goes you've got a group of well experienced, concentrated performers coming together to be in a Christmas film together. All of which give a great performance in their own way, there isn't a bad member of the cast in it.

The film is about how one man Paul Maddens 'Martin Freeman' who was in show business with two of his closet friends, took his own path of becoming a primary school teacher, he is put in charge of production in directing a Nativity play by the head mistress 'Pam Ferris' and is assigned a classroom assistant Mr Poppy 'Mar Wootton'.

For the next few weeks, it's going to be a challenge to put on a good show. However when word gets out that Hollywood are coming to see the schools show, a buzz of excitement is let out amongst everyone in the school. The problem is, it's a lie.

Here's a clip.

As far as the story is concerned, It's not a difficult or complicated plot to get into. it's your normal, easy going, fun Christmas film which is easy to enjoy whatever mood your in. 

I think in the case of Nativity it's more fun, because it's improvised. It fooled me first time I watched it, I thought it was scripted. However when finding out that the dialogue and the actions were all based on the ideas of the actor, it's added a bit more diversity and arithmatic to it. Which I think is a very bold mood on behalf of the director, as she can communicate her ideas more clearly.

I liked all of it, every joke, every pun, every Christmas reference and link ups to the Nativity story, it was all very well established and carefully co-ordinated. It does really get you in a christmasy mood. It's great for families to watch together and enjoy for being what it is.





For me the best bits of this film, have to be the undermined yet deliberately silly competition between the two schools. St. Bernadettes is competing with a posh local school run by Jason Watkin's character Gordon Shakespeare. It's funny and silly how the competitiveness to better than the other kicks in, and suddenly it becomes a popularity contest, however we as the audience know the compotition between Gordon Shakespeare and Mr Maddens is friendly and has no violent intention.

Just when we thought 'The Grinch' was good. Nativity comes along and comes the ultimate feel good Christmas film for the whole family. 8/10

Thanks very much for reading this review.

NEXT : Home Alone - I will post that review on Tuesday the 17th of December 2013.